The Diadochi
The Diadochi (plural or Latin diadochos, from the Greek diadoxoi = successors) were the men in power that controlled and fought over Alexander's Empire following his unexpected death aged 32. The quarreling and wars lasted for decades, for as long as the diadochi lived. The Seleucid and Ptolemaic kingdoms continued sporadic fighting until the 2nd Century B.C.
Phillip III Arrhideus
Silver tetradrachm, Price P225, Müller -, Choice VF, 17.238g, 27.3mm, 255o, uncertain Eastern mint, c. 325 - 300 B.C.; obverse head of Herakles right, clad in lion head headdress; reverse right, in ex, Zeus seated left on throne, feet on footstool, holding eagle and scepter, monogram in left field
Arrhideus, born c. 359 B.C. was the half-brother of Alexander the Great and the bastard son of Philip II and an alleged dancer, Philinna of Larissa. On the death of Alexander he was elected king by the Macedonian Army leaders. Although Arrhideus was mentally disabled (allegedly from a poisoning tentative by his step-mother Olyampis) he was the closest living relative of Alexander and was supported by Meleager, the phalanx commander, while Perdiccas, the cavalry commander asked to wait for Roxanne's delivery. A compromise was reached: Arrhideus was going to be king under the new name of Philip, and he would be joined by Alexander's baby if proven to be male. Arrhideus was just a pawn and the real power was in the hands of the new regent Perdiccas.
Arrhideus married his niece Eurydice (against the regent's will) a determined woman poised on consolidating her husband's position. When regent Antipater died in 319 B.C. nominating Polyperchon as regent, his son Cassander rebelled allied with Eurydice. The pair was given full control in Macedonia, but soon Olyampias and Polyperchon returned bringing Alexander IV with them. The troops refused to fight and Philip was imprisoned and soon executed (317 B.C.)
Ptolemy I Soter
Silver tetradrachm, Svoronos 146, SNG Cop 18, SGCV II 7749, gVF, 15.644g, 26.9mm, 0o, Egypt, Alexandria mint, 323 - 305 B.C.; obverse Alexander the Great, head right, wearing elephant skin headdress and aegis, before elephant's ear; reverse , Athena Alkidemos advancing right, holding shield and brandishing javelin; monogram to left, two monograms and eagle in right field; a couple old light scrapes on obverse and a `Z` graffiti on reverse, otherwise with attractive old toning.
Ptolemy, only a few year older than Alexander (and rumored to be his half brother) was one of his most trusted generals and a personal bodyguard. At the Babylon partition of 323 B.C. he was appointed satrap of Egypt. When Perdiccas sent the golden sarcophagus containing the body of Alexander to Macedonia, Ptolemy stole it and deposited it at Memphis, and joined the other rebellious satraps. Perdiccas led the army into Egypt but failed to force the Nile losing a large number of soldiers and two officers murdered him. Ptolemy refused to succeed as regent and preferred to strengthen his base in Egypt. In the following wars he occupied intermittently the surrounding regions of Cyrenaica, Cyprus and Syria.
In 316 B.C. Antigonos Monophtalmos gained control of all Asia Minor and moved into Persia. Seleukos, the satrap of Babylon fled to Egypt and together with Ptolemy, Lysimachos and Cassander formed a coalition against Antigonos and his son Demetrios. Demetrios was defeated in the battle of Gaza (312 B.C.) After a short peace the war broke out again, Ptolemy conquering parts of Asia Minor and Greece but losing Cyprus after the naval battle of Salamis. Following the example of Antigonos and Demetrios, the other generals took the title of king, Ptolemy styling himself as pharaoh as well in 305 B.C.
During the final war between Antigonos and the other generals, Ptolemy occupied Syria only to withdraw again upon hearing of a victory of Antigonos. After Lysimachos definitively defeated Antigonos at Ipsos (301 B.C.), Ptolemy's move was regarded as desertion and Syria was awarded to Seleukos, a cause of war between the two kingdoms for a long period.
A well thought cautious man, Ptolemy died in 283 B.C. aged 84. He left a solid kingdom, he founded the library of Alexandria and wrote a history of Alexander (now lost).
Seleukos I Nikator
Silver tetradrachm, SNG Spaer 109, ESM 4, VF, 17.108g, 27.2mm, 45o, Seleukeia on the Tigris mint, obverse head of Herakles right, clad in lion-skin head-dress; reverse , Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, monogram left, DI under throne; attractive bold style; rare.
About the same age as Alexander, Seleukos led an elite infantry unit during the Indian campaign, facing Pakor's elephants. After 323 B.C. He remained under Perdiccas' command and after the failed invasion of Egypt he was appointed satrap of Babylon. In the following war between Antigonos and Eumenes, Seleukos helped the former, but soon relations degraded and feeling threated fled to Egypt. Seleukos became Ptolemy's admiral and after the battle of Gaza returned to Babylon, date regarded as the beginning of the Seleukid Era (311 B.C.) After dealing with the repeated invasions of Demetrios and Antigonos, Seleukos took control over all Eastern provinces as far as the Indus river. In 307 or 305 B.C. he founded his new capital Seleukeia on the Tigris. Moving again East he crossed into India without being able to win a decisive victory. He returned with a large number of elephants however in exchange for land.
The last major war of the diadochi was fought between Antigonos and Demetrios on one side, and Cassander, Lysimachos and Seleukos on the other. Aged 81, Antigonos died on the battle field at Ipsus (301 B.C.), putting an end to the dream of a reunited Alexander's empire. Seleukos' elephants proved to be decisive during this war.
After decisively defeating Demetrios (286 B.C.) and Lysimachos (281 B.C.), Seleukos now the only Alexander contemporary diadoch to survive proceeded to conquer Macedonia and Greece, probably with the intent of ruling Europe and leaving Asia for his son Antiochos, but he was murdered by Ptolemy Keraunos, Ptolemy's banished son.
Antiochos followed as the second Seleukid king. His mother was Persian princess Apama – Seleukos was the only high-ranking Macedonian not to repudiate the eastern wife awarded by Alexander.
Seleukos can also be noted for founding the great city of Antioch, soon to become one of the largest in the world together with Alexandria and Rome.
Demetrios Poliorketes
Silver tetradrachm, Newell 81, gVF, 16.449g, 30.0mm, 0o, Amphipolis mint, obverse Demetrios' diademed head right with horns of a bull, the animal sacred to Demetrios' patron deity, Poseidon; reverse , Poseidon standing left, right foot on rock, trident in left (apparently inspired by the Lateran Poseidon, a statue by Lysippos, court sculptor of Alexander); toned, high relief and nice style .
Demetrios was the youngest figure among the diadochi. When Alexander died he was only a young boy, but son of the powerful Macedonian general Antigonos Monophtalmus. In charge with Alexander's supply line, Antigonos received parts of Asia Minor after 323 B.C. He soon entered in conflict with the other generals, and his son Demetrios, aged only 22 was defeated by Ptolemy in the battle of Gaza, losing Syria. When Seleukos regained control of Babylon, Demetrios was sent against it in 310 B.C. with little success. His father tried too later same year and failed as well, moment that marked the establishment of a solid Seleukid empire and the end of Alexander's empire.
In the following years, father and son changed attention towards Ptolemy who was trying to conquer Greece. Demetrios liberated Athens and crushed Ptolemy's fleet in the battle of Salamis (306 B.C.) In the next year he laid the siege of Rhodes which made him famous. Demetrios use of gigantic siege weapons such a battering ram operated by 1000 men and an assault tower 125 feet tall (Helepolis) gave him the nickname Poliorketes (the Besieger).
He lost popularity in Greece due to his licentiousness and greed. While skirmishing Cassander, his father Antigonos was cornered in Asia Minor by Lysimachos and Seleukos. At the battle of Ipsus (301 B.C.) Antigonos perished. Demetrios escaped and later reconciled with Seleukos giving him his daughter in marriage. Demetrios also usurped the throne of Macedonia by murdering Alexander V, Cassander's son. Forced by the combined effort of Pyrrhos, Ptolemy and Lysimachos, Demetrios left for Asia attacking Lysmachos possessions and also conquering Cilicia. This was a direct threat towards Syria, and Seleukos army stepped in. Demetrios was deserted by his soldiers and died in captivity after three years. His son Antigonos II would rule Macedonia however, and the dynasty lasted until the Roman conquest.
Lysimachos
Silver tetradrachm, Thompson 29; Müller 331 (Tragilos), VF, ex jewelry, 16.559g, 28.7mm, 45o, Sestos mint, 297/6 - 282/1 B.C.; obverse diademed head of Alexander the Great wearing the horn of Ammon; reverse , Athena enthroned left, Nike crowning name in right, rests left arm on shield, transverse spear against right side, flower under arm; scarce
Lysimachos served as royal bodyguard under Philip II and Alexander. When Alexander died, he was granted control in Thrace and northern Asia Minor. He was a constant ally of Ptolemy and Seleukos agaisnt Antigonos and Demetrios. After the Ipsos battle his share of Asia Minor increased considerably, period during which he struck his wonderful tetradrachms. Trying to counterbalance Seleukos' power, Lysimachos married Ptolemy's daughter Arsinoe (even renaming Ephesos to Arsinoe). Demetrios was accepted as king of Macedonia for a while, but then driven out by an alliance with Pyrrhos.
In 284 B.C. Intrigues by Arsinoe and Ptolemy Keraunos determined Lysimachos to execute his eldest son Agathokles who was very popular. Many cities revolted. Seleukos seized the moment, invaded Asia Minor and Lysmachos died in the battle of Corupedium (281 B.C.), the last war of the diadochi. Although Seleukos now reigned over the entire Hellenistic world save Egypt, it did not last long at all, being soon murdered by the same Ptolemy Keraunos.
The Diadochi
The Diadochi (plural or Latin diadochos, from the Greek diadoxoi = successors) were the men in power that controlled and fought over Alexander's Empire following his unexpected death aged 32. The quarreling and wars lasted for decades, for as long as the diadochi lived. The Seleucid and Ptolemaic kingdoms continued sporadic fighting until the 2nd Century B.C.
Phillip III Arrhideus
Silver tetradrachm, Price P225, Müller -, Choice VF, 17.238g, 27.3mm, 255o, uncertain Eastern mint, c. 325 - 300 B.C.; obverse head of Herakles right, clad in lion head headdress; reverse right, in ex, Zeus seated left on throne, feet on footstool, holding eagle and scepter, monogram in left field
Arrhideus, born c. 359 B.C. was the half-brother of Alexander the Great and the bastard son of Philip II and an alleged dancer, Philinna of Larissa. On the death of Alexander he was elected king by the Macedonian Army leaders. Although Arrhideus was mentally disabled (allegedly from a poisoning tentative by his step-mother Olyampis) he was the closest living relative of Alexander and was supported by Meleager, the phalanx commander, while Perdiccas, the cavalry commander asked to wait for Roxanne's delivery. A compromise was reached: Arrhideus was going to be king under the new name of Philip, and he would be joined by Alexander's baby if proven to be male. Arrhideus was just a pawn and the real power was in the hands of the new regent Perdiccas.
Arrhideus married his niece Eurydice (against the regent's will) a determined woman poised on consolidating her husband's position. When regent Antipater died in 319 B.C. nominating Polyperchon as regent, his son Cassander rebelled allied with Eurydice. The pair was given full control in Macedonia, but soon Olyampias and Polyperchon returned bringing Alexander IV with them. The troops refused to fight and Philip was imprisoned and soon executed (317 B.C.)
Ptolemy I Soter
Silver tetradrachm, Svoronos 146, SNG Cop 18, SGCV II 7749, gVF, 15.644g, 26.9mm, 0o, Egypt, Alexandria mint, 323 - 305 B.C.; obverse Alexander the Great, head right, wearing elephant skin headdress and aegis, before elephant's ear; reverse , Athena Alkidemos advancing right, holding shield and brandishing javelin; monogram to left, two monograms and eagle in right field; a couple old light scrapes on obverse and a `Z` graffiti on reverse, otherwise with attractive old toning.
Ptolemy, only a few year older than Alexander (and rumored to be his half brother) was one of his most trusted generals and a personal bodyguard. At the Babylon partition of 323 B.C. he was appointed satrap of Egypt. When Perdiccas sent the golden sarcophagus containing the body of Alexander to Macedonia, Ptolemy stole it and deposited it at Memphis, and joined the other rebellious satraps. Perdiccas led the army into Egypt but failed to force the Nile losing a large number of soldiers and two officers murdered him. Ptolemy refused to succeed as regent and preferred to strengthen his base in Egypt. In the following wars he occupied intermittently the surrounding regions of Cyrenaica, Cyprus and Syria.
In 316 B.C. Antigonos Monophtalmos gained control of all Asia Minor and moved into Persia. Seleukos, the satrap of Babylon fled to Egypt and together with Ptolemy, Lysimachos and Cassander formed a coalition against Antigonos and his son Demetrios. Demetrios was defeated in the battle of Gaza (312 B.C.) After a short peace the war broke out again, Ptolemy conquering parts of Asia Minor and Greece but losing Cyprus after the naval battle of Salamis. Following the example of Antigonos and Demetrios, the other generals took the title of king, Ptolemy styling himself as pharaoh as well in 305 B.C.
During the final war between Antigonos and the other generals, Ptolemy occupied Syria only to withdraw again upon hearing of a victory of Antigonos. After Lysimachos definitively defeated Antigonos at Ipsos (301 B.C.), Ptolemy's move was regarded as desertion and Syria was awarded to Seleukos, a cause of war between the two kingdoms for a long period.
A well thought cautious man, Ptolemy died in 283 B.C. aged 84. He left a solid kingdom, he founded the library of Alexandria and wrote a history of Alexander (now lost).
Seleukos I Nikator
Silver tetradrachm, SNG Spaer 109, ESM 4, VF, 17.108g, 27.2mm, 45o, Seleukeia on the Tigris mint, obverse head of Herakles right, clad in lion-skin head-dress; reverse , Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, monogram left, DI under throne; attractive bold style; rare.
About the same age as Alexander, Seleukos led an elite infantry unit during the Indian campaign, facing Pakor's elephants. After 323 B.C. He remained under Perdiccas' command and after the failed invasion of Egypt he was appointed satrap of Babylon. In the following war between Antigonos and Eumenes, Seleukos helped the former, but soon relations degraded and feeling threated fled to Egypt. Seleukos became Ptolemy's admiral and after the battle of Gaza returned to Babylon, date regarded as the beginning of the Seleukid Era (311 B.C.) After dealing with the repeated invasions of Demetrios and Antigonos, Seleukos took control over all Eastern provinces as far as the Indus river. In 307 or 305 B.C. he founded his new capital Seleukeia on the Tigris. Moving again East he crossed into India without being able to win a decisive victory. He returned with a large number of elephants however in exchange for land.
The last major war of the diadochi was fought between Antigonos and Demetrios on one side, and Cassander, Lysimachos and Seleukos on the other. Aged 81, Antigonos died on the battle field at Ipsus (301 B.C.), putting an end to the dream of a reunited Alexander's empire. Seleukos' elephants proved to be decisive during this war.
After decisively defeating Demetrios (286 B.C.) and Lysimachos (281 B.C.), Seleukos now the only Alexander contemporary diadoch to survive proceeded to conquer Macedonia and Greece, probably with the intent of ruling Europe and leaving Asia for his son Antiochos, but he was murdered by Ptolemy Keraunos, Ptolemy's banished son.
Antiochos followed as the second Seleukid king. His mother was Persian princess Apama – Seleukos was the only high-ranking Macedonian not to repudiate the eastern wife awarded by Alexander.
Seleukos can also be noted for founding the great city of Antioch, soon to become one of the largest in the world together with Alexandria and Rome.
Demetrios Poliorketes
Silver tetradrachm, Newell 81, gVF, 16.449g, 30.0mm, 0o, Amphipolis mint, obverse Demetrios' diademed head right with horns of a bull, the animal sacred to Demetrios' patron deity, Poseidon; reverse , Poseidon standing left, right foot on rock, trident in left (apparently inspired by the Lateran Poseidon, a statue by Lysippos, court sculptor of Alexander); toned, high relief and nice style .
Demetrios was the youngest figure among the diadochi. When Alexander died he was only a young boy, but son of the powerful Macedonian general Antigonos Monophtalmus. In charge with Alexander's supply line, Antigonos received parts of Asia Minor after 323 B.C. He soon entered in conflict with the other generals, and his son Demetrios, aged only 22 was defeated by Ptolemy in the battle of Gaza, losing Syria. When Seleukos regained control of Babylon, Demetrios was sent against it in 310 B.C. with little success. His father tried too later same year and failed as well, moment that marked the establishment of a solid Seleukid empire and the end of Alexander's empire.
In the following years, father and son changed attention towards Ptolemy who was trying to conquer Greece. Demetrios liberated Athens and crushed Ptolemy's fleet in the battle of Salamis (306 B.C.) In the next year he laid the siege of Rhodes which made him famous. Demetrios use of gigantic siege weapons such a battering ram operated by 1000 men and an assault tower 125 feet tall (Helepolis) gave him the nickname Poliorketes (the Besieger).
He lost popularity in Greece due to his licentiousness and greed. While skirmishing Cassander, his father Antigonos was cornered in Asia Minor by Lysimachos and Seleukos. At the battle of Ipsus (301 B.C.) Antigonos perished. Demetrios escaped and later reconciled with Seleukos giving him his daughter in marriage. Demetrios also usurped the throne of Macedonia by murdering Alexander V, Cassander's son. Forced by the combined effort of Pyrrhos, Ptolemy and Lysimachos, Demetrios left for Asia attacking Lysmachos possessions and also conquering Cilicia. This was a direct threat towards Syria, and Seleukos army stepped in. Demetrios was deserted by his soldiers and died in captivity after three years. His son Antigonos II would rule Macedonia however, and the dynasty lasted until the Roman conquest.
Lysimachos
Silver tetradrachm, Thompson 29; Müller 331 (Tragilos), VF, ex jewelry, 16.559g, 28.7mm, 45o, Sestos mint, 297/6 - 282/1 B.C.; obverse diademed head of Alexander the Great wearing the horn of Ammon; reverse , Athena enthroned left, Nike crowning name in right, rests left arm on shield, transverse spear against right side, flower under arm; scarce
Lysimachos served as royal bodyguard under Philip II and Alexander. When Alexander died, he was granted control in Thrace and northern Asia Minor. He was a constant ally of Ptolemy and Seleukos agaisnt Antigonos and Demetrios. After the Ipsos battle his share of Asia Minor increased considerably, period during which he struck his wonderful tetradrachms. Trying to counterbalance Seleukos' power, Lysimachos married Ptolemy's daughter Arsinoe (even renaming Ephesos to Arsinoe). Demetrios was accepted as king of Macedonia for a while, but then driven out by an alliance with Pyrrhos.
In 284 B.C. Intrigues by Arsinoe and Ptolemy Keraunos determined Lysimachos to execute his eldest son Agathokles who was very popular. Many cities revolted. Seleukos seized the moment, invaded Asia Minor and Lysmachos died in the battle of Corupedium (281 B.C.), the last war of the diadochi. Although Seleukos now reigned over the entire Hellenistic world save Egypt, it did not last long at all, being soon murdered by the same Ptolemy Keraunos.