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Why did Philip II attack Olynthus?
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Philip II
Bust, tentatively identified as Philip II of Macedonia, mid-4th century bce; in the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen.
Philip II of Macedon attacked Olynthus primarily because the city shifted its political allegiance away from him.1
Initially, Olynthus was an ally of Philip when war broke out between Macedonia and Athens in 357 BCE. However, as Philipās power continued to grow, the Olynthians became increasingly suspicious of his expansionist designs. Fearing his rising influence, Olynthus broke its alliance with Philip and formed a new one with Athens. This change in loyalty prompted Philip to threaten the city, eventually leading him to raze Olynthus and annex Chalcidice in 348 BCE.123