Alexander A. Kleymenov

Doctor of Science (History), Senior researcher of the Department of history and archaeology of the Tula State Lev Tolstoy Pedagogical University

Tula State Lev Tolstoy Pedagogical University

(Tula, Russia)

Abstract. The circumstances, reasons and results of Phillip’s army defat in military campaign in 354 BC are under consideration in this article. Trying to control Thessaly, Phillip responded to request of the Thessalian city coalition about support against the ruler of Pherae Lycophron. The ruler of Pherae Lycophron asked the of support of Phocis Onomarchus’ tyrant who was the main Phillip’s enemy in struggle for domination in Thessaly. The result of military campaign 354 BC was the win of the Phocians and Phillip army’s retreat to Macedonia. The main result of this defeat was demoralization of Macedonian army. Big role in that situation had Onomarchus’ skillful actions which could trap enemy and use catapults in field battle. The important thing was that Macedonian command had some miscalculation and underestimate their enemy started the attack without having any intelligent data. They had the tactic mistake in using phalanx without cavalry support and in unsuitable territory. The reason of Phillip army’s demoralization was unfinished building new Macedonian army processed and warriors did not have enough discipline. But that defeat did not destroy the main army forces of Macedonia. Considering these mistakes Phillip had revenge next year in the battle of Crocus Field. The defeat of 354 BC gave the big stimulus to the next developing of Macedonian army showed to Phillip and his associators the dangerous of rash decisions, using inelegant data and coordinated use of infantry and cavalry in battle such as assistance some problems in military discipline.
Keywords: Philip II, Onomarchus, Thessaly, warfare, Macedonian phalanx.

Full text of the article (PDF)

For citation:Kleymenov, АА 2020, ‘The Thessalian failure of Philip II: local defeat as an incentive to development’, Tula Scientific Bulletin. History. Linguistics, issue 2 (2), pp. 6–19, URL: http://tula-vestnik.ru/pdf/2020/vipusk_2_15_12_20.pdf (in Russ.)

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