Synopses & Reviews
Philip II of Macedon is a unique compilation of fragments of ancient writings, epitomies, and passages from the orators that together form a contemporary biography of one of the most influential figures of the ancient world. Alfred Bradford has collected, translated, and integrated all the significant classical writings about Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, and he presents them in a readable and lively manner, telling the story of Philip from his precarious childhood, when his life was threatened by his own mother, to his bloody death, when he was murdered by a bodyguard.
Philip II, the conqueror of Athens, was the dominant man of his time. A great military tactician and strategist--as evidenced by the analysis of the Battle of Chaeronea provided in this book--Philip built the army that Alexander the Great used to conquer the known world. Knowledge of Philip's life and military achievements is requisite for an understanding of Macedonia and Greece during the Age of Philip. Illustrated with maps by Alfred Bradford and drawings (based on ancient artifacts) by Pamela Bradford, this compelling biography will be of interest to students of ancient history as well as to military historians.
Review
"Whether or not Bradford has by his skillfully constructed narrative changed the way the world looks at Philip, only the reader can decide. Nevertheless, this book has for the first time enabled readers to see Philip in his whole career as the ancients saw him, without having to scramble through a dozen or more different sources. This is a significant gift to any one who would understand the Greek world of the fourth century B.C." - The Historian
Review
This book is not only of interest to the military enthusiast, who can now clearly see the military and organizational genius of the man who created the army, weapons, and tactics with which Alexander conquered Persia, but also to the instructor who wishes to add a counterpart to the traditional offerings in translation for undergraduate classes and seminars. An eminently readable and extremely useful work, which would be even more useful in paperback. - The Journal of Military History
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 189-191) and index.
About the Author
ALFRED S. BRADFORD is John Saxon Professor of Ancient History at the University of Oklahoma.
Table of Contents
Preface
Prologue
The New King: 381-359 B.C.
The First Campaigns: 358-356 B.C.
The Origins of Power: 356-354 B.C.
The Greeks Open the Way: 355/4 B.C.
Philip Turned Back: 352 B.C.
Philip, King of the Macedonians
The Olynthian War Begins: 351-348 B.C.
The Fall of Olynthus: 351-348 B.C.
Philip Enters Greece: 348-346 B.C.
The Peace of 346 B.C.
Neither Peace nor War: 344/3 B.C.
Operations in the North: 343-342 B.C.
Philip's Letter of 343/2 B.C.
Demosthenes Denounces Philip: 341 B.C.
Perinthus and Byzantium: 341/40 B.C.
War with Athens: 340 B.C.
War with the Greeks
The Battle of Chaeronea: 338 B.C.
Philip, Leader of the Greeks: 338-336 B.C.
Death of a King: 336 B.C.
Epilogue: Alexander's Eulogy
Notes
Sources
Index