A Brief Study of Philip II’s Structures and Macedonian Dominance

During King Philip II’s reign, Macedon achieved great political, economic and military dominance in its region and spheres of influence due to vital and innovative structures of power Philip II implemented and reformed, in: the military, domestic affairs and international relations. However, the overall key to Macedonian dominance in the Greek region was unity. Philip II unified the so called ‘land of impossible contrasts’ into a cohesive and powerful kingdom with his astute and perceptive political and diplomatic skills. Such an example of Philip II’s discerning diplomacy and practical politics can be seen with the affairs of the lowlands’ and the highlands’ inhabitants. Philip II skilfully managed to unify the contrasting regions diplomatically and as a result a pivotal and tactical military structure, the Campion Cavalry, tough highlander aristocratic horseman, was formed. Furthermore, Philip II reformed the military and established Macedon’s and for that matter Greece’s (aside from Sparta) first professional and permanent national standing army. This landmark and significant structure was tactically advanced and technologically sophisticated. Philip II introduced, utilised and combined effective specialist army divisions of light cavalry and shock cavalry (cavalry had never been used as shock troops before), as well as archers and slingers, in concert with the fundamental basis of the Macedonian military, the infantry. The infantry corps was enhanced greatly with the implementation of the Phalanx, an important and tactical infantry formation, which was the core of the infantry structure, and therefore the military overall. Furthermore, the infantry was equipped with light armour and the new weapon, the Sarissas, a 6m long spear. Moreover, Philip II’s army was supported by a superior and sophisticated system of logistics, another innovative structure, further ensuring vital mobility and supply, key to military dominance. What is more, the army was fully and regularly salaried, and it did not comprise of or rely on expensive mercenaries (unlike other Greek city states at the time). Overall, the national standing and professional army created unity and fostered patriotism with a common goal for Macedonian dominance, and the effective tactical and innovative structures employed ensured this. Therefore overall, fundamentally King Philip II’s implementation and reform of critical and significant structures matched with his astute and intelligent abilities as a Statesman in politics and diplomacy established unity in Macedon and did indeed ensure Macedonian dominance.