ancient greece
During the rule of Philip II of Macedon

During the time of Philip II of Macedon, who ruled from 359 BC until his assassination in 336 BC, Ancient Greece was undergoing significant political and cultural transformations. Philip ascended to the Macedonian throne at a time when the region was fragmented, with Greek city-states like Athens, Sparta, and Thebes often at odds with each other. His reign marked the rise of Macedon as a formidable power through military reforms, including the introduction of the phalanx with its longer pikes, which would later be pivotal in the conquests of his son, Alexander the Great. Philip's diplomatic skills, alongside his military prowess, allowed him to expand Macedonian influence over much of Greece, culminating in his victory at the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC, where he defeated a combined force of Athenians and Thebans. His establishment of the League of Corinth united most Greek states under Macedonian hegemony, setting the stage for the Hellenistic period which would follow, characterized by the spread of Greek culture across much of the known world. This era was also a time of cultural flourishing, with Philip's patronage contributing to the arts and philosophy, amidst the backdrop of ongoing power struggles and the looming shadow of Persian threats.