This presentation highlights the remarkable reign of the Macedonian king, Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, and emphasises the key role of precious metals in underpinning the rise of Macedonia under Philip and its capacity to embark on conquest of the Persian Empire under Alexander III.
From 359-336 BC Philip led his kingdom from a small, threatened, relatively poor entity in northern Greece to leadership of the first land empire in Europe that endured for almost 200 years. His extraordinary achievements provided the foundation for his son to then lead the Macedonian army that conquered the mighty Persian Empire in just 13 years. Together they brought irreversible change to the ancient world.
They were exceptional men, yet their achievements also required a sustainable source of wealth to train, equip, provision and pay the permanent infantry, cavalry, and mercenaries that enabled their conquests. In the time of Philip, silver, gold and base metals were much more valuable than today and it was his access to precious metals that underpinned much of what he accomplished. Furthermore, it was Macedonian-controlled mines and wealth, in combination with Philips ground-breaking achievements and preparation of his son for leadership, that paved the way for Alexanders success in the Near East.
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