Editing Alexander the Great (section)

===Regency and ascent of Macedon===
{{Main|Philip II of Macedon|Rise of Macedon}}
{{further|History of Macedonia (ancient kingdom)}}
[[File:Philip II of Macedon Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek IN2263.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Philip II of Macedon]], Alexander's father]]

At the age of 16, Alexander's education under Aristotle ended. Philip II had waged war against the [[Thracians]] to the north, which left Alexander in charge as [[regent]] and [[heir apparent]].{{sfn|Roisman|Worthington|2010|p=188}} During Philip's absence, the Thracian tribe of [[Maedi]] revolted against Macedonia. Alexander responded quickly and drove them from their territory. The territory was colonized, and a city, named [[Alexandropolis Maedica|Alexandropolis]], was founded.<ref>{{harvnb|Lane Fox|1980|p=68}}, {{harvnb|Renault|2001|p=47}}, {{harvnb|Bose|2003|p=43}}</ref>

Upon Philip's return, Alexander was dispatched with a small force to subdue the revolts in southern [[Thrace]]. Campaigning against the Greek city of [[Perinthus]], Alexander reportedly saved his father's life. Meanwhile, the city of [[Amphissa (city)|Amphissa]] began to work lands that were sacred to [[Apollo]] near [[Delphi]], a sacrilege that gave Philip the opportunity to further intervene in Greek affairs. While Philip was occupied in Thrace, Alexander was ordered to muster an army for a campaign in southern Greece. Concerned that other Greek states might intervene, Alexander made it look as though he was preparing to attack Illyria instead. During this turmoil, the [[Illyrians]] invaded Macedonia, only to be repelled by Alexander.{{sfn|Renault|2001|pp=47–49}}

Philip and his army joined his son in 338 BC, and they marched south through [[Thermopylae]], taking it after stubborn resistance from its Theban garrison. They went on to occupy the city of [[Elatea]], only a few days' march from both [[Athens]] and [[Thebes, Greece|Thebes]]. The Athenians, led by [[Demosthenes]], voted to seek alliance with Thebes against Macedonia. Both Athens and Philip sent embassies to win Thebes's favour, but Athens won the contest.<ref>{{harvnb|Renault|2001|pp=50–51}}, {{harvnb|Bose|2003|pp=44–45}}, {{harvnb|McCarty|2004|p=23}}</ref> Philip marched on Amphissa (ostensibly acting on the request of the [[Amphictyonic League]]), capturing the mercenaries sent there by Demosthenes and accepting the city's surrender. Philip then returned to Elatea, sending a final offer of peace to Athens and Thebes, who both rejected it.<ref>{{harvnb|Renault|2001|p=51}}, {{harvnb|Bose|2003|p=47}}, {{harvnb|McCarty|2004|p=24}}</ref>
[[File:Battle of Chaeronea, 338 BC.png|thumb|Battle plan from the [[Battle of Chaeronea (338 BC)|Battle of Chaeronea]]]]
As Philip marched south, his opponents blocked him near [[Chaeronea]], [[Boeotia]]. During the ensuing [[Battle of Chaeronea (338&nbsp;BC)|Battle of Chaeronea]], Philip commanded the right wing and Alexander the left, accompanied by a group of Philip's trusted generals. According to the ancient sources, the two sides fought bitterly for some time. Philip deliberately commanded his troops to retreat, counting on the untested Athenian [[hoplites]] to follow, thus breaking their line. Alexander was the first to break the Theban lines, followed by Philip's generals. Having damaged the enemy's cohesion, Philip ordered his troops to press forward and quickly routed them. With the Athenians lost, the Thebans were surrounded. Left to fight alone, they were defeated.<ref name="DiodXVI" />

After the victory at Chaeronea, Philip and Alexander marched unopposed into the [[Peloponnese]], devastating much of Laconia and ejecting the Spartans from various parts of it.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cartledge |first1=Paul |title=Sparta and Lakonia: A Regional History, 1300-362 B.C. |date=2002 |publisher=Routledge |location=New York |isbn=0-415-26276-3 |page=273 |edition=2nd |quote=Philip laid Lakonia waste as far south as Gytheion and formally deprived Sparta of Dentheliatis (and apparently the territory on the Messenian Gulf as far as the Little Pamisos river), Belminatis, the territory of Karyai and the east Parnon foreland.}}</ref> At [[Ancient Corinth|Corinth]], Philip established a "Hellenic Alliance" (modelled on the old [[Second Persian invasion of Greece#Hellenic alliance|anti-Persian alliance]] of the [[Greco-Persian Wars]]), which included most Greek city-states except Sparta. Philip was then named ''[[Hegemon]]'' (often translated as "Supreme Commander") of this league (known by modern scholars as the [[League of Corinth]]), and announced his plans to attack the [[Persian Empire]].{{sfn|Renault|2001|p=54}}{{sfn|McCarty|2004|p=26}}