the.com/macedon
the backwater kingdom that got tired of watching greece argue and just conquered everyone.
means an ancient greek-adjacent kingdom in the southern balkans, best known for producing philip ii and alexander the great before its empire outran its own borders.
from from greek makedones, likely tied to a root meaning tall or highland people, referring to the mountainous terrain north of classical greece where the kingdom took root around the 8th century bce.
greek opinionathens long dismissed macedonians as semi-barbarian cousins
phalanx upgradephilip ii lengthened spears into 18-foot sarissas
empire speedalexander conquered persia in under a decade
capital citiesaigai for burials, pella for actual ruling
for instance
alexander the great — took the throne at 20, reached india by 326 bce
philip ii — built the army alexander later weaponized globally
battle of chaeronea — 338 bce, macedon crushed athens and thebes combined
antigonid dynasty — ruled macedon until rome dissolved it in 168 bce