When Philip II of Macedon rose to power in 359 BCE, his kingdom was a mess. Macedon had been defeated by the Illyrians, and his eastern flank had been invaded and sacked by the Paeonians and Thracians. Worse, the Athenians had landed on the coast with a would-be usurper to his throne. Over the course ofdecades, Phillip II secured his reign and pushed back Macedon’s enemies through clever manoeuvring, diplomacy and a complete reorganisation of the Macedonian army. The now-famous Greek phalanx was the brainchild of Philip II.
Today, Philip II is better known as the father of Alexander the Great. Looking to give his son every possible advantage, Alexander was educated by no less than Aristotle himself, and his father also encouraged his education in more practical matters, sending him on military campaigns throughout the Balkan region at the age of 16. [Keep reading in the International Family Offices Journal…]
Franklin J. Parker, CFA 