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N. G. L. Hammond
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Philip of Macedon Paperback – February 26, 1998

by N.G.L. Hammond (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 12 ratings
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Philip was a genius of extraordinary versatility. Inheriting a kingdom near to collapse, he made Macedonia the greatest military power in the Western world and left to his son Alexander the strongest state in Eastern Europe. This book gives full attention to the Macedonian state and the Macedonian people who made Philip's success possible, and to the high level of culture and of artistic skills revealed by recent archaeological discoveries.
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  1. Print length
    270 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Bristol Classical Press
  4. Publication date
    February 26, 1998
  5. Dimensions
    8.26 x 0.61 x 11.69 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9780715628294
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0715628294
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0715628291
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bristol Classical Press (February 26, 1998)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 270 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780715628294
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0715628294
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.26 x 0.61 x 11.69 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 12 ratings

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N. G. L. Hammond

N. G. L. Hammond

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
12 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Mike Castor
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2016
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Lots of information about the Father of Alexander who is considered by some to be "Greater" than his son
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JPS
5.0 out of 5 stars A reference on the “Founding Father”
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2014
This is a book that is over twenty years old and that I bought over a decade ago. Despite more recent ones on the same subject (in particular those of Ian Worthington and Richard Gabriel, although there are also a couple of others), this one remains the best in my view.

The main reason for this is that it does not even attempt to discuss the merits of Philip versus those of his talented “all-conquering” son Alexander, a discussion which is somewhat sterile even if fashionable to the extent that the son started with what his father left him. In other words, it is highly unlikely that Alexander would have achieved all of his victories, conquests and undying fame (for better or for worse) without the Balkan empire, state and war machine that he received from his father.

The main merit of this book is precisely to try to show in a book of less than 200 pages of text what the “Founding Father” really achieved – the creation of a unified Macedonian kingdom and dominance across the Balkans – and how he achieved it over less than a quarter of a century.

Although a first class piece of scholarship, the book is nevertheless very readable. In particular, while presenting the main debates of the period that saw the rise of Macedon, the author is generally careful not to enter into lengthy (and, for the general reader, often boring) discussions. The notes to the main text are also useful in listing the appropriate references although I would have personally preferred the author to come up with an extent bibliography. There is however a very useful chronology at the end of the book which shows in particular how methodical Philip was in his expansion.

Another element which needs to be mentioned is the author’s somewhat obvious sympathy for his subject. Although I found that he nevertheless managed to stop short of becoming obviously biased, he does have a tendency of presenting events in a “positive light” or at least from the perspective of Philip II, which is something that he cannot really be criticised for, given the topic of his book.

The quality of this book rests largely of the author’s mastery and interpretation of the sources. These are difficult to grasp with the difficulties being somewhat similar to the sources for Alexander. Contemporary sources exist only in fragments and the main extant sources are often second or third hand, writing generations or sometimes centuries later, although including some of the original materials. While some of Hammond’s interpretations may be questionable and have been challenged, they always make sense and are at least plausible, even when they are assumptions.

Some of the most interesting sections of the book are those dealing with Philip’s statecraft is how he managed to unify, conquer and build the Macedonian Kingdom. Of particular interest is his strategic vision of controlling the rich resources of Chalcidice and eastern Thrace, but also the uplands to the North and West, and the various passes leading into the plains in particular. Part of the King’s “genius” was his targeting of and ability to secure economic resources. This allowed him to recruit and pay mercenaries over the full year and therefore to outbid most competitors (except from Persia) because in the Greek world mercenaries were generally paid for ten months.

The creation of military colonies that were “cities of the Macedones” from which the standing professional army was drawn and trained is particularly illuminating if only because both his sons and the Successors would emulate this throughout the Balkans and Asia. His military reforms are also well described, with the author showing in particular that the pike phalanx was not only a response to the hoplite style phalanx developed by the Greeks but also to similar close order battle formations of his non-Greek aggressive Illyrian and Thracian neighbours. The other tools used to foster integration, such as the Pages, the Companion cavalry and the Foot Guards (Hypaspists) are also well presented.

One of the most interesting features with Philip was his vast range of talents. In addition to being a first class soldier who had an excellent grasp of both strategy and tactic and lead from the front as Macedonian “Battle-Kings” did at the time, he was also an excellent leader and diplomat. Both of these features are well described throughout the book. In particular, it shows his ability to manipulate Athens and Thebes, the Greek cities more generally, and how he took advantage of their slower decision making and their very factional and divisive politics. Another feature of his diplomacy was his polygamous marriage policy – he married seven or eight times – with all of his marriages (except for the last one) being with princesses of neighbouring kingdoms that he had subdued.

With regards to his leadership qualities, suffice is to say that he clearly had the ability to select and surround himself with a cadre of talented and competent officers and generals (such as Parmenion, Antipater, Kleitos the Black or Antigonos) which were a key part of his legacy to his son.

There is however some elements that may be questionable and disputable and I will give just two examples of this. One is about the tombs excavated at modern Vergina on the site of the old capital of Macedonia. The claim that one of the tombs is that of Philip himself is possible and even plausible and very probable, but it is not quite as certain as the archaeologist and the author himself may want to make it. The other questionable point is about one of the “cold cases” of Ancient History. While the author does not believe that Alexander was involved in his father’s murder and even knew nothing about it, lingering suspicions remain, if only because he was the main beneficiary of the deed. The extent to which his mother Olympias might have known and encouraged the murderer is also something we will never know and she also had incentives to get the deed done, with or without the knowledge of her son. Five stars, without any hesitation.
7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Border Reiver
5.0 out of 5 stars DETAILED & WELL WRITTEN
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 18, 2015
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A well written and informative book about Alexander the Great's father. Philip was the man who rescued Macedon from being a kingdom on the verge of breaking up and, having overcome its internal problems and restored its borders, went on to unite most of Greece under his leadership. It was he who gave Alexander the springboard for his invasion of Persia.
Philip is portrayed as a very able ruler and an outstanding general but a man whose omnivorous carnal desire ultimately led to his assassination.
This is an excellent research tool for those wanting to know more about Greece in the fourth century BC and Macedon's rise to power.
One person found this helpful
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ISSUS
5.0 out of 5 stars The Great Philip
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 24, 2012
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Philip transformed a turbulent small kingdom into Greater Macedonia ensuring its borders were safe and its people reasonably prosperous.Trade prospered. Philip turned Macedonia into Europe's first world superpower by virtue of is professinal army.
There are few biographies on Philip so Hammond has reached out to many people with this book. We all owe Hammond a great debt for this study on Europes greatest King.
4 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Would definitely recommend
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 21, 2016
Verified Purchase
Great read. Very well researched and all of the points are backed up with historical evidence and sound reasoning. Despite that it's not too heavy and reads like a novel almost.

A must for any Hellenistic world enthusiasts!
2 people found this helpful
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Flatland Fox
2.0 out of 5 stars Two Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 31, 2017
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Deserves a better edition
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