Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
It's rare that a great father produces an equally (more?) successful son. But that's what happened with Philip II of Macedon and Alexander the Great. Here, I look at Philip's first 10-11 years, from his accession in 359 to the taking of Olynthos in 348, including the marriage of his first five wives in his first five-six years. His stunning initial achievements (including simply surviving!) can get lost in what came later, not least because Alexander had a more active role, and he tends to suck up all the air in the room. But in just 10 years, Philip doubled what he inherited.
It's rare that a great father produces an equally (more?) successful son. But that's what happened with Philip II of Macedon and Alexander the Great. Here, I look at Philip's first 10-11 years, from his accession in 359 to the taking of Olynthos in 348, including the marriage of his first five wives in his first five-six years. His stunning initial achievements (including simply surviving!) can get lost in what came later, not least because Alexander had a more active role, and he tends to suck up all the air in the room. But in just 10 years, Philip doubled what he inherited.
