PHILIP AND ALEXANDER THE GREAT — KINGS OF MACEDON

In 359 BC, Philip II, King of Macedon, was barely 20 years old and already an exceptional strategist, a shrewd diplomat, and an empire-builder. He forged the first European nation-state, created the most powerful army in Europe, built a strong economy founded on a gold currency, and introduced Greek culture and civilisation. After the Battle of Chaeronea (summer 336 BC), on the eve of his planned invasion of Asia, he was assassinated. His son Alexander was 20 years old when he was proclaimed King of Philip's lands by acclamation of the army. He inherited an empire comprising the Republic of Macedon, the Macedonian region attributed to Greece after the Second Balkan War in 1913, a substantial portion of Albania, the greater part of Bulgaria, and the whole of European Turkey. Alexander the Great wrote his own legend in letters of gold and became the greatest conqueror of all time. His empire, at his death (at Babylon on 13 June 323 BC), was at its zenith in power and extent, as attested by the campaign itinerary map that follows. This unique book was written in 1760 by the Sieur de Bury for the King of Denmark, who wished to know the authentic history of Macedon, one of the greatest Empires in the World. The imperial dream of Philip II and Alexander never ceased to inspire conquerors. But the title of "Great" has not been assumed since.