Athens and Sparta

Did the war between Athens and Sparta set the stage for Philip II to rise to power? Philip II's power worked out according to plan after his noticeable involvement in the 3rd Social War fought in the year 356 BC. Delphi was overrun and defeated by the Phocians. The Spartans as well as the Athenians entered the fray rooting for the Phocians. Though unable to unite in opposition to Philip II, the Athenians continued waging war till the treaty, Peace of Philocrates, was signed in the year 346 BC.

South Greece was weakened further by such continuous discord. In the middle of this struggle, Philip II expanded his kingdom by capturing Crenides' urban areas and renaming it Philippi in the year 355 BC, destroying Methone in the year 354 BC, and annexing the Chalcidice promontory's ancient city Olynthus in the year 348 BC (MAG). How did Philip II build the strength of Macedonia? Philip II rose to power in the year 360 BC in Macedon, Northern Greece.

It took him less than a decade to subjugate most of the bordering kingdoms: the Thracians in the Upper East and North and the Paionians and Illyrians and in Northwestern and Western Greece. Philip II made huge changes in Macedon and elsewhere. Advancements such as improved battle gear, equipment and launches, as well as 'sarissa', a different kind of infantry wherein individual warriors held great pikes as weapons, ensured his army was equipped with highly advanced military innovations (MAG).

What were the pillars of Philip II's military strategy and strength? The Macedonian army is cited as an example of one of the world's best-prepared and most feared army ever. Military transformations such as full-time army occupation ensured Macedonia's army became all powerful. All-day army work, occasionally witnessed in Asia Minor and Greece in that era, proved to be amazing and alarming (to enemies) during war.

The Greek phalanx and other novel strategies were devised and adopted, in addition to calm united attacks by infantry, bowmen, and mounted forces, contributing to their military legacy. Macedon's army consisted mostly of local warriors and conquered Greek armies. The army which was sent to wage war on Persia-controlled Asia Minor was about sixty-six-percent non-Macedonian. Novel weapons like the previously-mentioned sarissa accorded Macedon a truly spectacular military strength. Its army worked united and effectively (MAG).

What event led to Alexander taking over power in Macedonia? Philip II formally waged war against Persia in spring 336 BC. Around this time, a young honorable from Macedon, Pausanias, attacked and murdered the king at a wedding ceremony held in Aegae, Macedon's former capital city. Philip II, the great Macedon king who freed Macedon and raised it to great heights, was dead. Alexander the Great, Philip's son became king, and hence responsible for realizing his father's dream to defeat Persia (MAG).

What challenges did Alexander face when attacking Persia? How did he deal with these challenges? Persia's army marched from the Zelean town to Kocabas Cay (then known as Granicus River, a wide waterway characterized by varying depth, sharp, irregular banks, and great force). This river was potentially a huge impediment for the Macedonian army, and would render development by his phalanxes tricky.

Persia developed a strong guard on its eastern bank, placing every ranger in the army at highly risky and unreliable positions and making the widest possible front (roughly 1.4 miles or 7500 ft.), complicating things for Alexander's forces (MAG). After joining back with his main army, Alexander received information of the Persians being roughly fifty miles to the river's Upper East. Clearly, he couldn't first move southwards and free Persia-controlled Greek cities as this would allow a great foe to attack him from behind.

Hence, he decided to march in the north eastward direction, adjacent to the Propontis and Hellespont shore (now the Sea of Marmara) using about 18,000 of the best warriors in his army (5,100 mounted soldiers and13,000 infantry) to wage a fierce battle against Persia (MAG). What was Alexander's strategy for ruling conquered areas? Alexander adopted accommodation as well as assimilation strategies. The former meant he allowed the locals to assist in managing city communities and in retaining their native customs and traditions.

The latter strategy implied his warriors were allowed to enter into matrimony with local ladies, acting as authorities within Alexander's growing kingdom. He accepted and adopted Persia's traditions, and also encouraged his armies to do so (MAG). What was Hellenism? Describe a Hellenistic city? Hellenism largely refers to the era between Alexander's death (323 BC) and that of Cleopatra, when Egypt merged with Rome in the year 30 BC. Hellenism was mostly witnessed among city and town communities where the Greek lifestyle and culture overwhelmed the society.

Every major urban city within Rome's Empire witnessed it. Palestine, too, witnessed the growth of several urban Greek communities. Hellenism represented city culture, with every city trying to mimic the Polis to a certain extent. Greece, with its understanding of native privileges, power structures and social capacities, facilitated the growth of a remarkable social system which was adopted by all Mediterranean lands (MAG).

What ended Alexander's reign? Prior to his Arabian campaign, Alexander the Great came down with a high fever after attending a private meeting at the home of Medius of.