Unfortunately, most of the primary historical sources for this period have been lost. After Philip's death, his successor, Alexander the Great, used the army to conquer the Achaemenid Empire. By 338 BC, more than a half of the army for his planned invasion of the Achaemenid Empire of Persia came from outside the borders of Macedon - from all over the Greek world and the nearby barbarian tribes, such as the Illyrians, Paeonians, and Thracians. Macedonians and other Greeks (especially Thessalian cavalry) and a wide range of mercenaries from across the Aegean and Balkans were employed by Phillip. The new Macedonian army was an amalgamation of different forces. The Macedonian army perfected the co-ordination of different troop types, an early example of combined arms tactics - the heavy infantry phalanx, skirmish infantry, archers, light cavalry and heavy cavalry, and siege engines were all deployed in battle each troop type being used to its own particular advantage and creating a synergy of mutual support. For the first time in Greek warfare, cavalry became a decisive arm in battle. The Macedonian pike, the sarissa, gave its wielder many advantages both offensively and defensively.

However, the Macedonian king also innovated he introduced the use of a much longer spear, the two-handed pike. Philip II improved on these military innovators by using both Epaminondas' deeper phalanx and Iphicrates' combination of a longer spear and smaller and lighter shield. Tactical improvements included the latest developments in the deployment of the traditional Greek phalanx made by men such as Epaminondas of Thebes and Iphicrates of Athens.

In a remarkably short time, this led to the creation of one of the finest military machines of the ancient world. By introducing military service as a full-time occupation, Philip was able to drill his men regularly, ensuring unity and cohesion in his ranks. The latest innovations in weapons and tactics were adopted and refined by Philip II, and he created a uniquely flexible and effective army. It was created and made formidable by King Philip II of Macedon previously the army of Macedon had been of little account in the politics of the Greek world, and Macedonia had been regarded as a second-rate power. The army of the Kingdom of Macedon was among the greatest military forces of the ancient world. Armies of the Diadochi - Hellenistic armies ( Antigonid Macedonian army, Seleucid army, Ptolemaic army)

Rome 2 macedon units