Avenues of Influence: The Roles of Epaminondas, Iphicrates, Xenophon and Philip in the Rise of Macedonia

Abstract

<p>The aim of this thesis is to investigate and account for Philip’s role in the rise of Macedonia from faltering rural backwater to <i>hegemon </i>of Greece. Sources, both ancient and modern, regularly credit the king’s success to the knowledge he obtained whilst a young hostage in Thebes. This orthodoxy, however, begins to falter when it is considered that Epaminondas’ diplomatic and military achievements were somewhat less formidable than have been represented.</p> <p>A number of obstacles present themselves to a study of this nature. Other than the significant deficiencies and biases in the sources, the psychological aspect of the inquiry presents a challenge. Philip himself left no memoirs and so some conclusions must rely on circumstantial evidence and weight of probability. Such an approach might be considered less than ideal, but it should be remembered that historians rarely, if ever, are presented with untainted, unequivocal evidence.</p> <p>Three foci, therefore, form the basis of this thesis. The first centres on Epaminondas to ascertain if the achievements of the<i>boiotarchos</i> made him worthy of emulation. Next is considered the potential for Iphicrates and Xenophon to have been the inspiration for Philip’s reforms. Finally, the character of the king is analysed to determine the role he himself played in Macedonia’s ascendency.</p> <p>What becomes clear is that the foundation for Philip’s diplomatic and military expertise was not acquired whilst a hostage at Thebes. Instead, a very strong case can be made that the Athenians Iphicrates and Xenophon were important influences in the fields of military reform and statecraft respectively. It is also determined that Philip’s personal qualities contributed significantly to his kingdom’s eventual domination of Greece</p> <p>This investigation’s conclusions are important for a number of reasons. Uncritical acceptance of biased sources, it is argued, have long bolstered Epaminondas’ reputation beyond that of his achievements, amongst them being the inspiration behind Philip’s success. Such a belief not only does violence to the cachet of Iphicrates and Xenophon, but also Philip himself. This discussion, therefore, represents, in some small way, an attempt to “set the record straight”.</p>