ABSTRACT
The economy boomed, and Macedonian coinage quickly became the strongest in Europe. Philip was really the king behind Alexander, for the latter could not have achieved what he did without his father's great accomplishments. Psychologically, the warrior king fell victim to megalomania given his spectacular successes and the need to succeed, and then to a belief in his personal divinity. His stimulation of trade and expansion of Greek civilisation were continued in the Hellenistic period. At Opis in 324 Alexander gave a passionate speech to his mutinous army in which he praised his father's achievements. This is not inconsistent with his attitude to Philip because it seems hard to believe that Alexander did not exhort his men with tales of Macedonia's greatness thanks to Philip and himself. The fascination with him and his longevity through the centuries and in popular folklore show the impact he had.
