1. Military Power: Philip was a brilliant military strategist who reformed and modernized the Macedonian army, transforming it into a formidable fighting force. He adopted new tactics, such as the use of the phalanx formation and cavalry, which gave his troops an edge over the typically citizen-based armies of the Greek city-states. Philip's military prowess allowed him to win decisive battles and conquer territories, forcing many Greek cities to submit to Macedonian control.
2. Diplomacy and alliances: Philip skillfully employed diplomacy to divide and weaken the Greek city-states. He exploited rivalries and conflicts between different cities, offering support and alliances to certain factions to gain influence and control. Philip made tactical alliances with some city-states, offering protection or favorable terms in exchange for their support or neutrality. This divide-and-rule approach prevented a unified resistance against him.
3. Peace treaties: After gaining military victories, Philip often made peace treaties with defeated Greek cities on relatively favorable terms. This policy of moderation and leniency earned him the goodwill of some conquered cities, reducing the likelihood of future rebellions.
4. Corinthian League: In 337 BCE, Philip called the Congress of Corinth, where he secured the formation of the Corinthian League. This league united most of the Greek city-states under Macedonian leadership. Philip assumed the title of "hegemon" (leader) of the league, gaining the recognition and support of the Greek cities for his campaigns against common external threats, particularly the Persian Empire.
It's important to note that not all Greek city-states were willing participants in this unification process. Some cities, such as Athens and Thebes, resisted Macedonian dominance and fought unsuccessfully to maintain their independence. However, Philip's military strength, diplomatic skills, and alliances ultimately led to the unification of most of mainland Greece under Macedonian control.
