Panhellenism and Philip: was the call for Greek unity against Persia a vision of peace or an invitation to Macedonian mastery?

Isocrates, answered from the texts and cited to the page.

The position in brief

The Greek cities are destroying one another and filling the world with mercenaries and exiles. A common campaign against Persia would end the stasis at home and give the dispossessed somewhere to go. I addressed it to whoever might actually do it, and at the end that was Philip.123

Sources

  1. For my intention is to advise you to take the lead both in securing the harmony of Hellas and in conducting the expedition against the barbarians; and persuasion is expedient with the Greeks, and force useful with the barbarians. Such, then, is the general scope of my discourse. 17.
    Orations, pp. 119–120
  2. The other cities were such as Orchomenus and Oropus in Euboea. The Thebans had seized these cities contrary to the provisions of the peace of Antalcidas. ° The reference is to the Social War, in which Athens spent 1,500 talents to no purpose (cp. '' Areopagiticus," 10, 29). The poverty caused by it was so great, that it became necessary to propose special measures on behalf of state-debtors. ON THE PEACE.
    Orations, pp. 231–232
  3. The Phocians refused to pay the fine. 'his led to a war, in which the Phocians under Philomelus captured Delphi, and appropriated the treasures of the temple to furnish pay for mercenaries. The Thebans in the end sought the aid of Philip, who, after having made peace with the Athenians (who had supported the Phocians), entered Phocis, which surrendered unconditionally and was severely punished.
    Orations, pp. 130–131

Where the argument is made

  • Panegyricus 3-20, 173-186 (380 BCE), To Philip 8-16, 30-56, 127-155 (346 BCE), On the Peace, Archidamus, and the late Panathenaicus

How the argument was received

Argued for fifty years, to Athens first and for far longer than is remembered, and to Philip only after Athens had refused repeatedly.