ABSTRACT
The original Kingdom of Macedon was a characteristic marcher state on the northern border of peninsular Hellas. For most of the period discussed in the last chapter it was a fringe member of the Greco-Persian system. Its royal and governing families became progressively Hellenized. Persian influence was also present: the king of Macedon was one of the envoys sent by Darius to persuade the peninsular Greek cities to accept Persian suzerainty, and after the Persian retreat Macedon expanded into areas conquered by the Persians. Philip II (king from 359 to 336 BC) was a determined expansionist. While a hostage in Thebes he learnt the new techniques of the Theban phalanx, and came to see the weakness of both the Hellenic city states and the Persian Empire. Back in Macedon he developed a standing army which combined an improved phalanx with well-drilled cavalry recruited from the wilder peoples of the north. Knowing how effective Greek hoplites were against Persian levies, he decided to make himself master of Hellas, and then, with the aid of as many Greeks as he could muster, to take over the Persian Empire.
