Ian Worthington's book explores the political activities of the Macedonian king Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, who managed to subjugate the main Greek cities, including Athens, Thebes and Sparta. The author convincingly proves that Philip II was not only a successful commander, but also a true reformer in military affairs, thanks to which the Macedonian phalanx became practically invincible during his reign. In the book, the reader can find a brilliant analysis of the complex political situation that developed in Greece by the middle of the 3rd century. BC, in which Philip proved himself to be a subtle diplomat who played on the internal contradictions of his enemies, who ultimately destroyed the once powerful policies. The translation of Ian Worthington’s fundamental work is the first in Russian antiquity, which has hitherto undeservedly ignored Philip the Second, who in history would undoubtedly have become truly great if not for the subsequent famous deeds of his son.