Philip's Ruthless Conquest and Strategic Expansion

Philip effectively utilized a strategy combining a phalanx of infantry and flanking cavalry to decisively defeat the Phoekians, leading to thousands of enemy casualties and severe punishments for sacrilege. His control over Thessaly granted him the ability to levy troops and collect taxes, paving the way for further territorial expansion into Greece. With the Phoekians occupying Delphi, Philip sought to remove them, pushing southward until he faced an Athenian army at Thermopylae. This encounter marked the beginning of critical conflicts with Athens, which would shape Greece's future. Philip's military campaigns were not just about defense but also a means to fund his army, with the concept of a ruling economy that allowed profits from one campaign to finance the next. Unlike modern warfare, which often depletes a nation's resources, ancient warfare could be a source of profit through various means, suggesting that Philip’s frequent military actions were an integral part of his economic strategy and governance.