What if Philip II of Macedon Lived: Alternate Scenarios and Their Impacts

Nicholas: That’s a futile fiction! There is so much to try to figure out that Really Did Happen! Tempus fugit - concentrate on that!

However - consider. Although Philip II might have been a close second perhaps, in that day and time, no one could ever have surpassed the magnificent Alexander the Great - a glorious human being. Even thousands of years later, his strategy and successes were phenomenal. Alexander the Great would be a hard act to surpass on any level.

At more than 2300 years old, Philip II would be a freak of nature. This aside, he was even more of an asshole than his son Alexander, who, as he was, at least founded Alexandria. As we go through other possibilities and alternate scenarios, it’s important to remember that the absence of one key figure can have significant implications on the course of history.

The Role of Philip II and Alexander the Great

Go get the book What If by Robert Cowley editor Nicholas Barber. He says Philip II would have stopped at conquering Asia Minor.

Alexander, on the other hand, would have gone out to conquer the rest of the world a little later. Philip II, in this alternate scenario, built the war machine that Alexander used to achieve his greatness. Alexander stood taller because he stood on Philip’s shoulders. This is a testament to the significant contributions of Philip II to the Macedonian empire’s success.

Interestingly, Alexander the Great may have had a bit less game and less spotlight shining directly on him exclusively in history. But with strong allies like his father watching his back, he could have had a different trajectory. Perhaps King Philip would have remained in Greece instead of accompanying Alexander.

Alternative Scenarios

As Philip II stayed in Greece, he could have expanded but with shorter campaigns than Alexander. Instead of going East, Philip could have explored going West and organizing the Greeks in Magna Graecia, anticipating future rivalries and geopolitical landscapes. This could have led to a different outcome, where Philip beat the Romans before they grew stronger and organized into a republic or an empire.

Instead of a Latin Roman Empire that emerged later, a Hellenic Empire under Philip and Alexander could have flourished. Who knows? The possibilities are endless, as any small but key significant detail can determine and alter the chain of events.

Conclusion

Exploring such alternate scenarios not only provides us with fascinating perspectives but also allows us to understand the complex interplay of historical events and individual actions. Philip II of Macedon, despite his flaws, played a crucial role in shaping the future of the Hellenic world. Without his contributions and strategies, the world might have taken a drastically different path.