To the east from the White Tower a large enough green park area can be found. It is bordered by Manoli Andronikou street, Nikolau Germanou street and the promenade itself. Stretching to the south along the bay together with the Leoforos 30is Oktovriou street and Leoforos Meg.Alexandrou street, it turns now and then into different gardens and theme parks, which hide inside themselves a lot of memorials and sculptures. In memorial park, quite near the White Tower, there are monuments to some outstanding Greek persons. Among them one can find a statue of the Macedonian king Philip II — a great ruler, who played an important role in the establishment of powerful state of Ancient Greece.
The sculpture of Philip the Second was set in Thessaloniki at the end of the XX century. This was the way to perpetuate a great ruler whose reforms and military achievements contributed to Ancient Macedonia strengthening. It was he who laid the foundation for effective campaigns of his son — ingenious commander Alexander of Macedon.
The statue is made of bronze and represents a ruler dressed in battle armour. A hoplite helmet in his arms is an essential attribute of an ancient Greek heavily armed foot warrior.
Basileus Philip II was born in a small town not far from Thessaloniki and had been ruling Macedonia during 25 years until his death. He managed to defeat the united army of Thebes and Athens in the battle of Chaeronea and afterwards to create a League of Corinth, which united Greek city states for fighting together against Persia. He organized a strong, disciplined and battle-hardened army which later helped his son Alexander to build an immense powerful empire after his father’s death.
Having taken the throne in 359 BC when he was 23 years old, Philipp ran a great number of successful campaigns that allowed him to expand the borders of the state. One of the most important innovations that he made on the military level definitely was the creation of Macedonian infantry phalanx. Later due to Alexander the Great this way of formation got an unconquerable impact force which swept out everything on its way.
The commander had to teach his subjects to fight in a phalanx to organize an effective mass army. At that time the troops consisted mainly of untrained peasants who had no armour and no sufficient experience in owning weapons. Basileus managed to organize Macedonians into regiments, rally them with the help of discipline and intense trainings. Due to regular campaigns his warriors were able to fight together in the ranks. The army was equipped with the necessary weapons, moreover Philip II laid the foundation for using of sarissa — a long strike spear. Mostly these innovations determined a great success of military campaigns of Alexander of Macedon’s father.
Basileus personally took part in fightings showing himself as a model of fearless commander in chief. In the battles he came under enemy’s arrows lots of times and thus got injuries. During the military campaign against Scythians near the Danube banks Philip got a thigh injury that led to limping which accompanied him until the end of his life. To defend his legs, the ruler was wearing special metal greaves — such plates were discovered in his tomb and were different in length, that once again proved the belonging of the tomb to the famous basileus himself. During the siege of Methone in 354 BC the ruler was injured by an arrow in his right eye. Later the eye was removed by a surgeon and the Philip’s face became disfigured.
Basileus of Macedonia had as many as seven wives, and it was such pathological love for women that appeared to become a cause of his death. Olimpias, mother of Alexander the Great, was truly offended by the marriage of basileus and sixteen-year-old Cleopatra. She, followed by her son, went to her brother — a king of Epirus Alexander Molossus. In order to smooth the incident over, the ruler was forced to give his daughter Cleopatra in marriage with the Epirus king. During this wedding celebrations, just before the planned campaign to Persia, Philip II of Macedon was killed by his bodyguard Pausanias.
The monument of Philip II is set in the park on Thessaloniki embankment, not far from the White Tower. There are another sculptures of outstanding representatives in this memorial park. Among them you can find equestrian statue of the ruler’s son — Alexander the Great. From the Aristotle Square it would be a good idea to walk to this place on foot — 15-20 minutes would give you a chance to enjoy a beautiful scenery and see other attractions on the waterfront and the surrounding area.
If you are going to come here from other parts of the city, you can use buses №7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 31, 39, 58 to get to the Stratigio bus stop. Bus routes №3, 5, 6, 33, 78 arrive to the City Hall bus stop.
