The line of Macedonian kings being of Hellenic descent, Greek
civilization had been cultivated by some of them.
Philip of Macedon was a prince of great ability, educated at Thebes
during the Theban supremacy, and trained in war by Epaminondas, on
whose tactics he founded his famous invention, the “Macedonian phalanx.”
His fame has been overshadowed by that of his illustrious son, but he
made Macedonia the leading power in Greece, and gave Alexander the basis
for his great achievements. He was a man of unscrupulous character,
determined will, prompt action, and patient purpose; and when he became
King of Macedon, in 359 B. C., he designed making his country supreme in
the Hellenic world, as Athens, Sparta and Thebes had successively been.