Philip II of Macedon Macedonians were considered tough people, but uncivilized (no artists, philosophers) He became king at the age of 23 in 359 BCE

He developed phalanxes with 256 men equipped with 18-foot spears and a light cavalry After conquering the northern territories around him he set his sights on Greece.

The orator, Demosthenes, warned the Greeks about the threat of Philip. He is known for practicing he pronunciation by filling his mouth with pebbles, and to increase volume, as shown, speaking against the waves of the sea Unfortunately the city states couldn’t agree

When the Athenians and Thebans joined against Philip, he defeated them at Chaeronea

Philip started planning his invasion of Persia But he was killed. The story ranges from his son, Alexander, being behind the assassination, to a lover’s triangle involving Philip and Pausanias, one of his bodyguards, and the story that Philip let a group of horse handlers abuse him (like the ShawShank Redemption).

The Golden Larnax that contains the remains (bones) of King Philip II of Macedon

This is thought to be the best representation of Alexander by the artist Lysippus made about 7 years before A’s death. He became king at the age of 20 He kept a copy of the Iliad under his pillow

This is the Hellespont where Alexander and his troops crossed into Anatolia

With about 35,000 men Alexander met the Persian army of about 40,000 under their king, Darius III at Granicus,

Their next meeting was at Issus, on the Mediterranean the following year in 333 BCE

This is what it looks like today. The narrow area didn’t allow Darius to use his 600,000 man army effectively – they lost 50,000 men

Next was the Phoenician city of Tyre. Alexander had to build a road, or a mole, ½ mile out to sea – it took 7 months

Because they had to work so hard & long, Alexander had the city destroyed. These are the ruins of Tyre.

What is left of the city walls

Artists impression of the walls of manuscripts at the Library in Alexandria

Recreation of the Lighthouse of Alexandria

Even with 1 million men, the Persians lost the battle (they lost 40,000 and the Greeks 4,000). Darius fled the battle and being chased by Alexander was killed by his own men here

The remainder of the Persian empire fell. Alexander moved into the capital, Persopolis. It was burned during a drunken party. Persopolis today

The Apadana Stairway

Alexander’s conquests continued north and east into present day Russia and into India.

In 323 they finally returned back to Babylon, 11 years after they started. Ill from poisoning, or malaria type illness, Alexander died not quite 33 years old

His empire was split between 3 generals, Antigonus (blue/pink), Ptolemy (brown), and Seleucus (yellow)