Philip II of Macedon: Battle of Chaeronea

The Battle of Chaeronea occurred almost two and a half thousand years ago. However, the memory of her has survived to this day. Moreover, some points still cause controversy between historians and archaeologists. And the interpretation of the battle causes heated discussions in Greek and Macedonian society (the Slavic Republic of Macedonia). On the world map a new powerful state arose, which was to change the course of history.

Also it was at the time of the Chronicles that the famous Alexander of Macedon first appeared .

Causes

In the 350-ies BC the Macedonian kingdom is gaining strength. Greek culture still dominates the region. At this time, Ellada itself is heavily fragmented. There are several absolutely independent city-states, so-called policies. At the same time, each such state is in itself a serious force on the peninsula. They had a very effective system of collecting taxes, various social institutions, their own army. Each city could collect both a regular army and a militia. At the same time, conflicts between polis quite often happened. As soon as in one there were some internecine strikes, immediately others used the weakness of their neighbor and strengthened their positions. The Greeks conducted active trade both with the east and with the north. However, almost all but himself were considered barbarians and ignorant fools. Hence the slow spread of culture.

Rise of Macedonia

Macedonia was a more centralized power. The power held in the hands of the oligarchs, over which stood the king. For the throne regularly there were bloody skirmishes.

Almost every king of Macedonia was killed. Serious role in the country played the military. Culture can be described as Greek, but at the same time preserved local ancient traditions. These small differences were immediately noticed by the Greeks. They treated the Macedonians with contempt, considering them as kindred barbarians. At the same time, Macedonia itself gradually became the dominant force in the region. Gradually, she conquered Pangeas. In these lands was a huge number of gold mines. King Philip II conceived the expansion of power and was preparing to conquer the Greek lands.

Advance to the south

The wars between Macedonia and Hellas were not something new and were fought well before that. However, it was under Philip that there was a threat of conquest of Greece. Also, in view of the small differences in cultures and the almost completely identical religion, there was a threat of assimilation. This fact was perceived by some prominent politicians of Greece as positive. For example, Isocrates believed that the strong centralized authority of Macedonia could save a fragmented society of policies. But for the most part the rulers of the states did not consider the alliance with Philip as something promising, they were ready to give him a decisive rebuff.

In 338, the Macedonians marched to conquer the policies of Hellas.

Strength of the parties: Macedonians

The battle of the Chaeronea left many questions, the answers to which different historians give differently. One such estimate is the troop strength. In those days, various chroniclers were prone to exaggerate the number of soldiers for greater drama, epic or for other reasons. The most accurate number of Macedonian troops is the figure of thirty thousand people. The campaign for Boeotia was planned for a long time. About him were the approximate generals, as well as the son of the king - Alexander. From a small age, his father taught him martial arts and devoted all his affairs. The basis of the Macedonian army was a regular army, recruited from its own and vassal lands. Each detachment led the standard bearers of Philip.

Armed with mostly spears, sabers and shields. As armor rawhide armor or chain armor was used. A huge role in the battles of that time was played by cavalry. Riders were the military elite in any lands. In addition to thirty thousand infantry, the king took with him two thousand horsemen.

Forces of the parties: the Greeks

Regular Greco-Macedonian wars contributed to the development of a special strategy for the invasion of the Macedonians. Cities-politicians did not have large regular armies. During the offensive, a militia was called. Every citizen was required to own martial art and, in case of which, fight on the battlefield. The most common compound of the Greeks were "hoplites." This is heavy infantry. They were armed with a three-meter spear, a heavy shield, a small sword. As armor was used light armor, bracers, a deaf helmet. The Hoplites attacked the phalanx. In each detachment there were about 250 people. They attacked in the ranks, inflicting chopping blows and repelling the enemies with a shield. In some cases the hoplites had one more throwing spear - a dart. He rushed just before the attack.

Training in military affairs took place for two years. The Battle of Chironee significantly changed the tactics and weapons of hoplites in the future.

Preparing for battle

The army of the Macedonians was led personally by King Philip. The Battle of Chaeronea was to be the first real test of a new army. The army was going pretty slowly to save energy. Even the day before the main battle, the advance detachments had already explored the terrain. Greeks managed to take a comfortable position. On the one hand, the flank of their troops was covered by a river, and on the other - by a hill. The Greeks brought with them about 30 thousand soldiers. They were mostly hoplite citizens, as well as mercenaries.

The vast majority of soldiers were heavy infantry, extremely dangerous in close combat, but very slow in maneuvers. People were mostly from Athens and Thebes. Also to protect Hellas came the legendary "Sacred Squad from Thebes."

This combination of three hundred selected warriors, the retinue of the ruler and the best units in the policy.

Philip did not have as many heavy infantry as the Greeks. Therefore, he developed a special tactic. Athenians were famous for their rage in battle. Breaking their morale was extremely difficult. However, heavy armor quickly exhausted the soldiers. Therefore, the commander took with him a large number of peltasts. These are ancient Greek light warriors. They were armed with throwing spears and light shields of leather. At the same time they fought without armor. Peltasts did not aspire to the thick of battle. They threw the enemy darts from a long distance. In addition to them, the Macedonians also had slingers. These soldiers did not require almost any weapons, except for special bags. They put stones, which slingers threw the enemy with a special rope - sling.

A. Macedonian led the right flank of the troops - cavalry.

Battle

The Battle of Chironey began on August 2. The troops were built within sight. Philip headed the phalanx. Commanded the same riders and maneuvered right flank A. Macedonian, son of Philip, who at the time was 18 years old. The Greeks rose on the dais, because it is easier to attack from it. The Macedonians lined up in the plain. The Greeks were commanded by Hores, Proxen, Strathokl, Feagen and other famous personalities.

The Greeks were the first to attack. As usual, they hoped for a numerical and qualitative superiority in the line of contact. A few minutes after the first signals to the attack, the parties clashed in a fierce battle. The coalition forces of the polities held a dense system and crowded the enemy.

Throughout the battle front, stubborn fighting began. Most often they were defeated by those who could hold a single system and push the enemy with a wall of shields, periodically striking. Because of this nature of the battle, all forces were constrained and deprived of the ability to maneuver. Break the outcome of the battle was Alexander the Great. The battle at Chironoei seemed to be won by the Greeks. They fought hard and pressed the Macedonians. And then Philip gave the order to retreat. The advance detachments began to retreat and tightly closed the formation.

Defeat

The Greeks, seeing this, enraged. Cries were heard: "Let's drive them to the heart of Macedonia!" The Hoplites rushed after them. However, the persecution violated the traditional system. The king knew about these consequences, since he used similar tactics in battles with the Thracians. As soon as the Greeks broke their system, the peltasts and slingers began to throw the advancing spears. At this time, Alexander with the cavalry managed to break through the detachments of the enemy and turn the Athenians to flight. Flank failure meant an attack from the side and surroundings, which the hoplites could not resist. They began to run, throwing their shields. And losing the shield was a huge shame for the warrior. So the expression "come back with a shield or on a shield" appeared.

Effects

According to Diodorus, about a thousand Greeks fell in battle, twice as many were captured. The Holy Order of Thebes was completely destroyed. He did not retreat, and the Macedonians pelted the Greeks with darts. The city of Girona was occupied by the tsarist troops on the same day. The way to mainland Greece was opened. After the defeat of the alliance of the cities at Chironoeia, Macedonia on the map of Europe almost doubled. The city-politicians were subdued and pledged to pay tribute. Also, the mainland Hellas swore allegiance to the Macedonian king (except for Sparta). In the year of the Battle of Chironey, the world first learned about Alexander the Great.