The character and beliefs of Philip and Alexander

Introduction: Getting to Know Philip and Alexander

Welcome! In this chapter, we aren't just looking at dates and battles. Instead, we are looking at the personalities, motivations, and spiritual beliefs of two of the most famous men in history: Philip II of Macedon and his son, Alexander the Great. Understanding what these men believed and how they behaved helps us understand why they changed the world.

Think of it like this: if Philip was the architect who built a powerful machine (the Macedonian state), Alexander was the driver who took that machine and pushed it to its absolute limits. Their characters were different, but they shared a common fire.

Note: For the timeline of their wars and conquests, see the chapters on "The growth in Macedonian power" and "The major events of Alexander’s career."

1. The Character of Philip II: The Mastermind

Philip II was more than just a soldier; he was a pragmatist. A pragmatist is someone who deals with things sensibly and realistically based on what is possible, rather than following a rigid set of ideals.

Key Traits of Philip:

• Diplomatic and Shrewd: Philip was famous for using bribery and diplomacy just as much as his army. He famously said that no city wall was too high for a donkey laden with gold to climb over!
• Resilient: Philip was physically tough. Diodorus Siculus tells us that Philip was often wounded in battle—losing an eye, breaking a collarbone, and being crippled in the leg—but he wore these scars as a badge of honor for his kingdom.
• Sociable but Calculating: He used his court and marriages (he had seven wives!) as political tools to create alliances. He was known for his heavy drinking and love of Greek culture, inviting famous scholars like Aristotle to teach his son.

Religious Beliefs of Philip:

Philip presented himself as a pious Greek leader. He used his membership in the Amphictyonic League (a religious organization) to portray his wars as "Sacred Wars," making it look like he was fighting for the gods rather than just for land. He even had himself depicted on a gold coin, which showed a chariot—a symbol of his victory at the Olympic Games, proving he was "Greek enough" to compete.

Quick Tip: When writing about Philip, use the word opportunist. He was excellent at waiting for the right moment to strike!

2. The Character of Alexander: The Driven Hero

If Philip was a politician, Alexander was a visionary. His character was deeply influenced by the Homeric epics, particularly the Iliad. He truly believed he was a hero in the style of Achilles.

The "Two Sides" of Alexander:

Ancient sources like Arrian and Plutarch show us a complex man:

• The Noble Leader: Alexander could be incredibly generous. He often put himself in the same danger as his men and refused to drink water during the Gedrosian Desert march because there wasn't enough for everyone.
• The Hot-Headed King: As he grew more powerful, Alexander became increasingly paranoid and prone to rage. This is seen in the conspiracies and the murder of his friend Cleitus the Black during a drunken argument.
• The "Pothos": This is a Greek word for "yearning" or "desire." Alexander had a constant pothos to go further, see more, and conquer the unknown.

The Beliefs of Alexander: Divine Ambition

Alexander’s beliefs shifted during his campaign. He began to believe he was not just the son of Philip, but the son of Zeus.

• Zeus-Ammon: After visiting the Oracle of Ammon in Egypt, Alexander began to believe he was divine. This is shown on the silver tetradrachm of Lysimachus, where Alexander is depicted with the horns of Zeus-Ammon.
• Heroic Ancestry: He claimed descent from Heracles (Hercules) and Achilles. He carried a copy of the Iliad everywhere and visited Troy to pay respects to his "ancestors."
• Proskynesis: This was a Persian custom of bowing or prostrating oneself. Alexander's belief in his own greatness led him to try to force this on his Greek and Macedonian followers, which caused huge resentment.

Did you know? Alexander was so obsessed with being like Achilles that he reportedly kept a dagger and a copy of the Iliad under his pillow at night!

3. Comparing Father and Son: Change and Continuity

While they were related, their "vibe" as kings was very different. Use this table to help with AO2 (Analysis) questions:

4. Evidence and Sources: What to look for

To get those high marks for AO3 (Source Evaluation), you must mention specific evidence from the syllabus:

• Plutarch, Life of Alexander: Focuses on Alexander's character (ethos) rather than just the history. Great for finding anecdotes about his self-control or his temper.
• Arrian, The Campaigns of Alexander: Generally more positive. Arrian admires Alexander’s military genius but is critical of his "orientalizing" (behaving like a Persian) and his claim to be a god.
• Justin (Epitome of Trogus): Often provides a more critical or summarized view of the kings' motivations.
• The Alexander Sarcophagus: A visual source that shows Alexander in battle (wearing a lion-skin helmet like Heracles). This shows how he wanted to be remembered: as a heroic conqueror.
• Coinage:
  • Philip’s gold coin: Shows his focus on Greekness and prestige.
  • Ptolemy I’s tetradrachm: Shows Alexander wearing an elephant scalp, symbolizing his conquest of India and his superhuman status.

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Thinking Alexander hated his father.
  Correction: While they had a rocky relationship, Alexander modeled his military and leadership on Philip’s foundations. It was a mix of rivalry and respect.
• Mistake: Saying Philip was "weak" because he used bribes.
  Correction: In the eyes of ancient historians like Diodorus, this made Philip intelligent. He saved Macedonian lives by using gold instead of blood.
• Mistake: Forgetting that Alexander's character changed.
  Correction: He started as a traditional king and ended as something much more complex and "divine." Always mention the Opis mutiny or conspiracies to show this shift.

Quick Review Box:
- Philip: Pragmatic, resilient, diplomat, "Greek" image.
- Alexander: Visionary, Homeric hero, divine aspirations (Zeus-Ammon), prone to rage.
- Key Sources: Plutarch (character), Arrian (military/divinity), Coins (status/ancestry).