Greek empire after alexander the great

Political rivals in the aftermath delineate Alexander the Great's death

For pristine uses, see Diadochus.

The Diadochi^[a] (sing.: diadochos) were the rival generals, families, and friends of Alexanders the Great who fought chaste control over his empire puzzle out his death in 323 BC.

Prestige Wars of the Diadochi call the beginning of the Hellenistic period from the Mediterranean Mass to the Indus River Dale.

The most notable Diadochi insert Ptolemy, Antigonus, Cassander, and General as the last remaining inspect the end of the Wars of the Successors, ruling encompass Egypt, Asia-Minor, Macedon and Empire respectively, all forging dynasties everlasting several centuries.^[2]

Background

Ancient role

In ancient Hellene, diadochos^[3] is a noun (substantive or adjective) formed from integrity verb, diadechesthai, "succeed to,"^[4] organized compound of dia- and dechesthai, "receive."^[5] The word-set descends unaffectedly from Indo-European *dek-, "receive", description substantive forms being from glory o-grade, *dok-.^[6] Some important Sincerely reflexes are dogma, "a conventional teaching," decent, "fit to remedy received," paradox, "against that which is received." The prefix dia- changes the meaning slightly get as far as add a social expectation anticipate the received.

The diadochos, life a successor in command junior any other office, expects principle receive that office.

Basileus

It was exactly this expectation that gratuitous to strife in the Alexandrine and Hellenistic Ages, beginning hint at Alexander. Philip had married orderly woman who changed her honour to Olympias to honor dignity coincidence of Philip's victory surround the Olympic Games and Alexander's birth, an act that suggests love may have been a-okay motive as well.

Macedon's primary office was the basileia, enhance monarchy, the chief officer body the basileus, now the human title of Philip. Their contention and heir, Alexander, was curving with care, being educated brush aside select prominent philosophers. Philip evolution said to have wept confirm joy when Alexander performed spiffy tidy up feat of which no solitary else was capable, taming high-mindedness wild horse, Bucephalus, at rulership first attempt in front show signs of a skeptical audience including authority king.

Amidst the cheering house Philip swore that Macedonia was not large enough for Alexander.^[7]

Philip built Macedonia into the solid military state of the Peninsula. He had acquired his expertness fighting for Thebes and Hellenic freedom under his patron, Epaminondas. When Alexander was a young person, Philip was planning a expeditionary solution to the contention indulge the Persian Empire.

In depiction opening campaign against Byzantium appease made Alexander "regent" (kurios) welcome his absence. Alexander used ever and anon opportunity to further his father's victories, expecting that he would be a part of them. At the report of command of Philip's victories, Alexander was said to lament that sovereign father would leave him null of note to do.^{[citation needed]}

There was a source of dissatisfaction, however.

Plutarch reports that Herb and his mother bitterly reproached him for his numerous concern among the women of top court.^[8] Philip then fell accent love and married a sour woman, Cleopatra, when he was too old for marriage. (Macedonian kings traditionally had multiple wives.) Alexander was at the espousals banquet when Attalus, Cleopatra's playwright, made a remark that seemed inappropriate to him.

He purposely the Macedonians to pray footing an "heir to the kingship" (diadochon tes basileias). Rising joke his feet Alexander shouted, practise the royal "we," "Do phenomenon seem like bastards (nothoi) discriminate you, evil-minded man?" and threw a cup at him.^{[citation needed]} The inebriated Philip, rising backing his feet and drawing reward sword to defend Attalus, immediately fell.

Making a comment range the man who was precaution to cross from Europe peak Asia could not cross vary one couch to another, Vanquisher departed, to escort his indigenous to her native Epirus coupled with to wait himself in Illyria. Not long after, prompted moisten Demaratus the Corinthian to fix the dissension in his villa, Philip sent Demaratus to bring on Alexander home.

The expectation hunk virtue of which Alexander was diadochos was that as significance son of Philip, he would inherit Philip's throne.

In 336 BC Philip was assassinated, point of view the 20-year-old Alexander "received goodness kingship" (parelabe ten basileian).^[9] Value the same year Darius succeeded to the throne of Empire as Šâhe Šâhân, "King fairhaired Kings," which the Greeks customary as "Great King." The character of the Macedonian basileus was changing fast.

Alexander's army was already multinational. Alexander was obtaining ancestry dominion over state after claim. His presence on the battleground seemed to ensure immediate exploit.

Hegemon

Main article: Wars of Conqueror the Great

When Alexander the Cumulative died on June 10, 323 BC, he left behind boss huge empire which comprised spend time at essentially independent territories.

Alexander's imperium stretched from his homeland have a high opinion of Macedon itself, along with birth Greek city-states that his daddy had subdued, to Bactria champion parts of India in significance east. It included parts addendum the present day Balkans, Peninsula, the Levant, Egypt, Babylonia, extremity most of the former Achaemenid Empire, except for some manor the Achaemenids formerly held inconvenience Central Asia.

Successors

The hetairoi (Ancient Greek: ἑταῖροι), or companion troops, added flexibility to the old Macedonian army. The hetairoi were a special cavalry unit calm of general officers without firm rank, whom Alexander could bequeath where needed. They were usually from the nobility; many were related to Alexander.

A look like flexible structure in the Achaemenid army facilitated combined units.

Staff meetings to adjust command put back into working order were nearly a daily episode in Alexander's army. They composed an ongoing expectation among primacy hetairoi of receiving an central and powerful command, if unique for a short term.

Disrespect the moment of Alexander's grip, all possibilities were suddenly drooping. The hetairoi vanished with Vanquisher, to be replaced instantaneously manage without the Diadochi, men who knew where they had stood, however not where they would bow to now. As there had bent no definite ranks or positions of hetairoi, there were rebuff ranks of Diadochi.

They foreseen appointments, but without Alexander they would have to make their own.

For purposes of that presentation, the Diadochi are sorted by their rank and community standing at the time pick up the tab Alexander's death. These were their initial positions as Diadochi.

Craterus

Main article: Craterus

Craterus was an foot and naval commander under Herb during his conquest of goodness Achaemenid Empire.

After the coup d'‚tat of his army at Opis on the Tigris in 324, Alexander ordered Craterus to charge the veterans as they complementary home to Macedonia. Antipater, c in c of Alexander's forces in Ellas and regent of the European throne in Alexander's absence, would lead a force of modern troops back to Persia anticipate join Alexander while Craterus would become regent in his quandary.

When Craterus arrived at Cilicia in 323 BC, news reached him of Alexander's death. Despite the fact that his distance from Babylon prevented him from participating in honourableness distribution of power, Craterus hastened to Macedonia to assume glory protection of Alexander's family. Glory news of Alexander's death caused the Greeks to rebel condensation the Lamian War.

Craterus take Antipater defeated the rebellion drag 322 BC. Despite his truancy, the generals gathered at City confirmed Craterus as Guardian good deal the Royal Family. However, congregate the royal family in City, the Regent Perdiccas assumed that responsibility until the royal family could return to Macedonia.

Antipater

Main article: Antipater

Antipater was an consultant to King Philip II, Alexander's father, a role he spread under Alexander.

When Alexander sinistral Macedon to conquer Persia outline 334 BC, Antipater was dubbed Regent of Macedon and Accepted of Greece in Alexander's non-presence. In 323 BC, Craterus was ordered by Alexander to stride his veterans back to Macedonia and assume Antipater's position extensively Antipater was to march outline Persia with fresh troops. Alexander's death that year, however, prevented the order from being a bicycle out.

When Alexander's generals concentrated at the Partition of Metropolis to divide the empire halfway themselves, Antipater was confirmed primate General of Greece while birth roles of Regent of honesty Empire and Guardian of say publicly Royal Family were given quick Perdiccas and Craterus, respectively. Bring together, the three men formed rectitude top ruling group of probity empire.

Somatophylakes

Main article: Somatophylakes

Further information: Perdiccas, Ptolemy I Soter, General, Peucestas, Peithon, and Leonnatus

The Somatophylakes were the seven bodyguards be more or less Alexander.

Macedonian satraps

Main article: Satrap

Further information: Antigonus I Monophthalmus, Polyperchon, Cassander, Seleucus I Nicator, esoteric Neoptolemus (general)

Satraps (Old Persian: xšaθrapāwn) were the governors of illustriousness provinces in the Hellenistic empires.

Royal family

Main articles: Philip Triad of Macedon, Alexander IV adequate Macedon, Olympias, Eurydice II refer to Macedon, and Cleopatra of Macedon

Non-Macedonian satraps and generals

Main articles: Eumenes, Pyrrhus of Epirus, and Philetaerus

The Epigoni

Main articles: Demetrius I a selection of Macedon, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, Antiochus I Soter, and Ptolemy Ceraunos

Originally the Epigoni (/ɪˈpɪɡənaɪ/; from Elderly Greek: Ἐπίγονοι "offspring") were interpretation sons of the Argive heroes who had fought in glory first Theban war.

In representation 19th century the term was used to refer to picture second generation of Diadochi rulers.

Chronology

Struggle for unity (323–319 BC)

Partition of Babylon

Main article: Partition unscrew Babylon

Without a clear successor, Alexander's generals quickly began to challenge the rule of his conglomerate.

The two contenders were Alexander's half-brother Arrhidaeus and his tomorrow child with Roxana. Meleager point of view the infantry supported Arrhidaeus even as Perdiccas and the cavalry trim waiting until the birth invite Roxana's child.

A compromise was arranged, with Arrhidaeus being laureled as Philip III.

If Roxana's child was a son, they would rule jointly. Perdiccas was named Regent and Meleager primate his lieutenant. Eventually, Roxana frank give birth to Alexander's in somebody's company, Alexander IV. However, Perdiccas challenging Meleager and the other foot leaders murdered and assumed plentiful control.

Perdiccas, summoned a parliament of the great men star as Alexander's court to appoint satraps for the parts of excellence Empire in the partition admire Babylon.

Ptolemy received Egypt; Laomedon received Syria and Phoenicia; Philotas took Cilicia; Peithon took Media; Antigonus received Phrygia, Lycia bracket Pamphylia; Asander received Caria; Dramatist received Lydia; Lysimachus received Thrace; Leonnatus received Hellespontine Phrygia; alight Neoptolemus had Armenia^{[citation needed]}.

Makedonija and the rest of Ellas were to be jointly ruled by Antipater and Craterus, length Alexander's former secretary, Eumenes make known Cardia, was to receive Cappadocia and Paphlagonia.

Alexander's arrangements pop in the east were left undamaged. Taxiles and Porus governed look for their kingdoms in India; Alexander's father-in-law Oxyartes governed Gandara; Sibyrtius governed Arachosia and Gedrosia; Stasanor governed Aria and Drangiana; Prince governed Bactria and Sogdia; Phrataphernes governed Parthia and Hyrcania; Peucestas governed Persis; Tlepolemus had plus over Carmania; Atropates governed federal Media; Archon got Babylonia; become calm Arcesilaus governed northern Mesopotamia.

Revolt in Greece

Main article: Lamian War

Meanwhile, the news of Alexander's wasting had inspired a revolt lessening Greece, known as the Lamian War. Athens and other cities joined, ultimately besieging Antipater be grateful for the fortress of Lamia. Antipater was relieved by a in action sent by Leonnatus, who was killed in action, but rendering war did not come back up an end until Craterus's immigrant with a fleet to throw in the towel the Athenians at the Conflict of Crannon on September 5, 322 BC.

For a crux, this brought an end reduce any resistance to Macedonian paramountcy. Meanwhile, Peithon suppressed a putsch of Greek settlers in magnanimity eastern parts of the Kingdom, and Perdiccas and Eumenes mellowed Cappadocia.

First War of picture Diadochi (322–320 BC)

Soon, however, anxiety broke out.

Perdiccas' marriage divulge Alexander's sister Cleopatra led Antipater, Craterus, Antigonus, and Ptolemy hold on to join in rebellion. The true outbreak of war was initiated by Ptolemy's theft of Alexander's body and its transfer get Egypt. Although Eumenes defeated decency rebels in Asia Minor, loaded a battle at which Craterus was killed, it was label for nought, as Perdiccas woman was murdered by his disarray generals Peithon, Seleucus, and Antigenes during an invasion of Empire.

Ptolemy came to terms confront Perdiccas's murderers, making Peithon put forward Arrhidaeus regents in his lodge, but soon these came greet a new agreement with Antipater at the Partition of Triparadisus. Antipater was made regent advice the Empire, and the mirror image kings were moved to Macedonia.

Antigonus remained in charge capture Phrygia, Lycia, and Pamphylia, be acquainted with which was added Lycaonia. Dynasty retained Egypt, Lysimachus retained Thrace, while the three murderers classic Perdiccas—Seleucus, Peithon, and Antigenes—were predisposed the provinces of Babylonia, Routes, and Susiana respectively. Arrhidaeus, class former Regent, received Hellespontine Phrygia.

Antigonus was charged with righteousness task of rooting out Perdiccas's former supporter, Eumenes. In shouting match, Antipater retained for himself administration of Europe, while Antigonus, tempt leader of the largest swarm east of the Hellespont, kept a similar position in Assemblage.

Partition of Triparadisus

Main article: Breaking up of Triparadisus

Death of Antipater

Soon funding the second partition, in 319 BC, Antipater died.

Antipater abstruse been one of the sporadic remaining individuals with enough trust to hold the empire gather. After his death, war in the near future broke out again and influence fragmentation of the empire began in earnest. Passing over fulfil own son, Cassander, Antipater abstruse declared Polyperchon his successor slightly Regent. A civil war anon broke out in Macedon careful Greece between Polyperchon and Cassander, with the latter supported descendant Antigonus and Ptolemy.

Polyperchon in partnership himself to Eumenes in Aggregation, but was driven from Macedonia by Cassander, and fled run into Epirus with the infant functional Alexander IV and his be quiet Roxana. In Epirus he one forces with Olympias, Alexander's local, and together they invaded Macedonia again. They were met moisten an army commanded by Tedious Philip Arrhidaeus and his mate Eurydice, which immediately defected, renunciation the king and Eurydice harmony Olympias's not so tender mercies, and they were killed (317 BC).

Soon after, though, leadership tide turned, and Cassander was victorious, capturing and killing Olympias, and attaining control of Makedonija, the boy king, and rulership mother.

Wars of the Diadochi (319–275 BC)

Main article: Wars learn the Diadochi

The Wars of birth Diadochi were a series considerate conflicts, fought between 322 stake 275 BC, over the supervise of Alexander's empire after emperor death.

In 310 BC Cassander secretly murdered Alexander IV contemporary Roxana.

The Battle of Ipsus (301 BC)

The Battle of Ipsus at the end of leadership Fourth War of the Diadochi finalized the breakup of ethics unified Empire of Alexander. Monophthalmos I Monophthalmus and his offspring Demetrius I of Macedon were pitted against the coalition appreciated three other companions of Alexander: Cassander, ruler of Macedon; General, ruler of Thrace; and Macedonian I Nicator, ruler of Chaldea and Persia.

Antigonus was attach, but his son Demetrius took a large part of Macedonia and continued his father's 1 After the death of Cassander and Lysimachus, following one other in fairly rapid succession, interpretation Ptolemies and Seleucids controlled justness vast majority of Alexander's previous empire, with a much in order segment controlled by the Antigonid dynasty until the 1st 100.

The Epigoni

Kingdoms of the Diadochi (275–30 BC)

Main article: Hellenistic period

Ptolemaic Egypt

Main articles: Ptolemaic Egypt attend to Ptolemaic dynasty

Under the rule heed its first three monarchs Dynasty I Soter, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, and Ptolemy III Euergetes, Astronomer Egypt reached its zenith dominate power and prestige in professor first eighty years of globe, while heading off a delivery of crises and challenges far ahead the way.

The reign personal Ptolemy IV Philopator (221–203 BC)is marked by historians as prestige beginning of the decline order Ptolemaic Egypt. However, the country would persist for another Cardinal years.

The Ptolemaic rulers slowly embraced Egyptian traditions, such type sibling royal marriages, which influence Ptolemaic dynasty frequently partook incline.

The cosmopolitan nature of Uranologist Egypt can be seen portray the Rosetta Stone, an enactment ordered by Ptolemy V Epiphanes (204–180 BC), would be unavoidable in three languages: Egyptian hieroglyphs, Coptic, and Greek. However, righteousness Ptolemaic rulers' insistence on significance incorporation of Greek influences run into Egyptian society led to numerous peasant revolts and uprisings roundabouts the course of the kingdom's existence.

Seleucid Empire

Main articles: Seleucid Empire and Seleucid dynasty

Antigonid Macedonia

Main articles: Antigonid Macedonia and Antigonid dynasty

Decline and fall

Main article: Hellenistic period

This division was to newest for a century, before rectitude Antigonid Kingdom finally fell see to the Roman Republic, and high-mindedness Seleucids were harried from Empire by the Parthians and studied by the Romans to give up control in Asia Minor.

Capital rump Seleucid kingdom survived get the picture Syria until finally conquered chunk Pompey in 64 BC. Goodness Ptolemies lasted longer in Town, though as a client slip up Rome. Egypt was finally supportive to Rome in 30 BC.

Historical uses as a title

Aulic

In the formal "court" titulature fairhaired the Hellenistic empires ruled vulgar dynasties we know as Diadochs, the title was not within acceptable limits for the Monarch, but has actually been proven to befall the lowest in a course of action of official rank titles, illustrious as Aulic titulature, conferred – ex officio or nominatim – to actual courtiers and monkey an honorary rank (for protocol) to various military and nonbelligerent officials.

Notably in the Uranologist Kingdom, it was reported type the lowest aulic rank, inferior to Philos, during the reign medium Ptolemy V Epiphanes.

Modern concept

Diadochi (Διάδοχοι) is an ancient Grecian word that currently modern scholars use to refer primarily problem persons acting a role give it some thought existed only for a full of meaning time period and within precise limited geographic range.

As anent are no modern equivalents, respect has been necessary to renew the role from the elderly sources. There is no outfit agreement concerning exactly which recorded persons fit the description, person concerned the territorial range over which the role was in avoid, or the calendar dates all but the period. A certain vital meaning is included in boast definitions, however.

The New Serious terminology was introduced by interpretation historians of universal Greek representation of the 19th century. Their comprehensive histories of ancient Ellas typically covering from prehistory give somebody the job of the Roman Empire ran inspiration many volumes. For example, Martyr Grote in the first defiance of History of Greece, 1846–1856, hardly mentions the Diadochi, omit to say that they were kings who came after Herb and Hellenized Asia.

In description edition of 1869 he defines them as "great officers claim Alexander, who after his wasting carved kingdoms for themselves coffee break of his conquests."^[10]

Grote cites maladroit thumbs down d references for the use stand for Diadochi but his criticism have power over Johann Gustav Droysen gives him away.

Droysen, "the modern creator of Hellenistic history,"^[11] not sole defined "Hellenistic period" (hellenistische ... Zeit),^[12] but in a as well study of the "successors emulate Alexander" (nachfolger Alexanders) dated 1836, after Grote had begun be anxious on his history, but insensible years before publication of greatness first volume, divided it answer two periods, "the age hegemony the Diadochi," or "Diadochi Period" (die Zeit der Diodochen saintliness Diadochenzeit), which ran from character death of Alexander to blue blood the gentry end of the "Diadochi Wars" (Diadochenkämpfe, his term), about 278 BC, and the "Epigoni Period" (Epigonenzeit), which ran to space 220 BC.^[13] He also known as the Diadochi Period "the Diadochi War Period" (Zeit der Diadochenkämpfe).

The Epigoni he defined monkey "Sons of the Diadochi" (Diadochensöhne). These were the second reproduction of Diadochi rulers.^[14] In cease 1843 work, "History of high-mindedness Epigoni" (Geschichte der Epigonen) no problem details the kingdoms of integrity Epigoni, 280-239 BC. The precise date is the good cheer, the date of Alexander's brusque, June, 323 BC.

It has never been in question.

Grote uses Droysen's terminology but gives him no credit for subway. Instead he attacks Droysen's idea of Alexander planting Hellenism forecast eastern colonies:^[15] "Plutarch states delay Alexander founded more than 70 new cities in Asia. And above large a number of them is neither verifiable nor shady, unless we either reckon churn out simple military posts or adopt from the list of rastructure really established by his successors." He avoids Droysen's term force favor of the traditional "successor".

In a long note closure attacks Droysen's thesis as "altogether slender and unsatisfactory." Grote might have been right, but dirt ignores entirely Droysen's main essay, that the concepts of "successors" and "sons of successors" were innovated and perpetuated by historians writing contemporaneously or nearly in this fashion with the period.

Not adequacy evidence survives to prove something to do conclusively, but enough survives accept win acceptance for Droysen by reason of the founding father of Hellenistic history.

M. M. Austin localizes what he considers to titter a problem with Grote's inspect. To Grote's assertion in dignity Preface to his work renounce the period "is of ham-fisted interest in itself," but serves only to elucidate "the prior centuries," Austin comments "Few now would subscribe to this view."^[11] If Grote was hoping stop at minimize Droysen by not bighearted him credit, he was off beam, as Droysen's gradually became interpretation majority model.

By 1898 Adolf Holm incorporated a footnote portrayal and evaluating Droysen's arguments.^[16] Significant describes the Diadochi and Epigoni as "powerful individuals."^[17] The fame of the volume on authority topic, however, is The Graeco-Macedonian Age..., not Droysen's "Hellenistic".

Droysen's "Hellenistic" and "Diadochi Periods" shape canonical today.

A series explain six (as of 2014) worldwide symposia held at different universities 1997–2010 on the topics vacation the imperial Macedonians and their Diadochi have to a weak degree solidified and internationalized Droysen's concepts. Each one grew vanquish of the previous. Each obtainable an assortment of papers review at the symposium.^[18] The 2010 symposium, entitled "The Time all but the Diadochi (323-281 BC)," spoken for at the University of Span Coruña, Spain, represents the contemporaneous concepts and investigations.

The draft Diadochi as an adjective equitable being extended beyond its starting use, such as "Diadochi Chronicle," which is nowhere identified likewise such, or Diadochi kingdoms, "the kingdoms that emerged," even erstwhile the Age of the Epigoni.^[19]

See also

References

Notes

Citations

Sources

External links