Philip II of Macedon
Macedonian king Philip II (382–336 BCE, r. 359–336) was born in Pella, the youngest son of Amyntas III.
He was initially his infant nephew's guardian after his eldest brother was assassinated and his second brother died in battle.
However, within a matter of months, Philip assumed the throne himself.
Over the next twenty-three years, Philip built up the Macedonian army, systematically neutralised external threats, bought off or eliminated internal rivals, and increased his kingdom's size and prosperity.
When he was assassinated in 336 as the dominant figure in the Greek world, he was preparing to lead an invasion of Persia.
His son Alexander took over what Philip began, conquered the Persian empire and subsequently established the most extensive empire the Western world had known.
