Chapter 2 Summary and Analysis

Alexander grew up in the household of Philip. It was a male world with drunken feasts and full of professional soldiers. Olympias turned the boy against his father and he was always close to her. Alexander had a love-hate relationship with his father and was more or less jealous of his military conquests.

Alexander was a person who carried a grudge, sometimes for years, waiting to strike back at whoever did him a disservice. Philip was often away on campaigns and busy with diplomatic duties when he was home in Pella. Philip made conquests throughout the region until he became the most powerful ruler in Greece.

Philip wasn't interested in Panhellenism unless he could use it to his own advantage. The Persians began to be a threat to Greece when they captured Sidon in 345. Philip supported the Egyptians in this effort...