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Wars of the Diadochi
The Wars of Alexander's Successors
The wars of Alexander's successors, also known as the Wars of the Diadochi or the Wars of the Successors' Wars, were a series of conflicts fought between the generals of Alexander the Great over who would rule his empire after his death. This period began in 322 BC and lasted until 281 BC.
After Alexander's death on June 10, 323 BC, he left behind a vast empire consisting of many independent regions. The empire was divided among his successors, with each general seeking to control as much territory as possible. Both parties agreed to a compromise, wherein Arrhidaeus would become king as Philip III and rule jointly with Roxana's child, provided it was a male heir.
Perdiccas was designated as regent of the empire, with Meleager acting as his lieutenant. Perdiccan received Egypt; Laomedon took Cilicia; Filotas took Media; Antigonus lived in Phrygia, Lycia, and Pamphylia. Ptolemy received Egypt's satrapy of Cyrenaica, while Menander received Lydia.
The empire was divided into several regions, with each general controlling their respective territories. The central figure of the struggle was one of the oldest and most powerful generals, Antipater, who ruled Macedonia and Ugiriki (the eastern part of the empire). Eumenes of Cardia, secretary of Alexander, received Cappadocia and Paphlagonia.
The wars were fought between 322 and 281 BC. The possible heir to the throne was Philip III Arrhidaeus, who ruled jointly with Roxana's child. However, Antipater tried to marry Alexander's sister, Cleopatra, a marriage that would have strengthened his claim to the throne.
One of the most significant events during this period was the suppression of an uprising by Greek colonies in the eastern parts of the empire, led by Peithon and Oxyartes. The central figure of the struggle, Antipater, tried to maintain control over the empire through a regency council, with Perdiccas as its leader.
The wars eventually came to an end with the Battle of Corupedio in 281 BC, which marked the beginning of a period of relative stability and peace among Alexander's successors. The division of the empire into several regions remained in place until the death of Antipater in 319 BC.