King Phillip's Legacy to Alexander
King Phillip had organised an army that was loyal to the king rather than to the Macedonian aristocrats. He managed this by increasing the quantity of noblemen so it became less prestigious as well as by requesting that they send their sons to be pages of the king so that loyalty would be ensured through threat to possible hostage(s). This meant that Phillip could create a new aristocracy so gave out land and military offices.
The people who received land became Hetairoi ("companions") who were the cavalry in Phillip's army. When Phillip became king there were just 600 but by the time of his death, there were more than 3,000; this was because the forces had been bolstered by the inclusion of the Paeonians, Thessalians, Thracians and Greeks.
Phillip used the Hetairoi for frontal attacks which was unlike the standard convention of the time which was to use hoplite (phalanx) infantry. The commander of the unit was in the first rank, meaning that casualties of officers was high but ensured inspiration in their subordinates so would fight harder and stronger.
Non-aristocrats were members of the Pezhetairoi ("foot companions") who were heavily armed and fought in the phalanx formation. Phillip improved the phalanx by making it deeper and by replacing their spears with a sarissa of about six metres, although this meant that they could only carry a smaller shield as the sarissa required two hands to use.
Phillip struggled to find other reliable generals and was reported to have envied the Athenians for their ability to find their generals. All treaties were concluded by Phillip rather than the Macedonian state so people were only loyal to Phillip. He left cities their independence but appointed official that were to report the on-goings (spasaka, espiskopos). Garrisons were needed to be garrisoned in several towns.
The people who received land became Hetairoi ("companions") who were the cavalry in Phillip's army. When Phillip became king there were just 600 but by the time of his death, there were more than 3,000; this was because the forces had been bolstered by the inclusion of the Paeonians, Thessalians, Thracians and Greeks.
Phillip used the Hetairoi for frontal attacks which was unlike the standard convention of the time which was to use hoplite (phalanx) infantry. The commander of the unit was in the first rank, meaning that casualties of officers was high but ensured inspiration in their subordinates so would fight harder and stronger.
Non-aristocrats were members of the Pezhetairoi ("foot companions") who were heavily armed and fought in the phalanx formation. Phillip improved the phalanx by making it deeper and by replacing their spears with a sarissa of about six metres, although this meant that they could only carry a smaller shield as the sarissa required two hands to use.
Phillip struggled to find other reliable generals and was reported to have envied the Athenians for their ability to find their generals. All treaties were concluded by Phillip rather than the Macedonian state so people were only loyal to Phillip. He left cities their independence but appointed official that were to report the on-goings (spasaka, espiskopos). Garrisons were needed to be garrisoned in several towns.