March 14 th, 2012

web.ics.purdue.edu/~rauhn/alexander.htm

Alexander’s conquest of Asia tentative at best; Initial attempt to keep the kingdom intact. No heir; Roxanne pregnant; Philip Arrhidaeus feeble-minded; No potential successor identified. Immediate conflict (Perdiccas backed Arrhidaeus; Infantry backed the unborn child of Roxanne). Tentative compromise reached but would not hold. The major players: Antipater, Perdiccas, Cassander, Polyperchon, Antigonus, Demetrius, Ptolemy, and Seleucus. Conflicting views: 1. The empire of Alexander should be kept whole and intact (i.e. Antigonus). 2. Should be carved up into separate kingdoms (i.e. Ptolemy)

“He also wrote an account of what happened after Alexander. They comprise the sedition in the army and the proclamation of Arrhidaeus, a son of Philip, Alexander’s father, from the Thessalian Philine, on the condition that the throne would be shared between him and Alexander (the Great); and that is what happened when the child saw the light of day. They proclaimed Arrhidaeus king and changed his name to Philip.” (M.M. Austin, Doc. 22a)

Neither Philip Arrhidaeus nor Alexander IV would ever rule. Ambitions of the generals running high; each with military commands. Antipater the most senior (regent for Alexander IV); Perdiccas attempts to assert supreme authority over Alexander’s patrimony (in the name of Arrhidaeus). Those suspected of (alleged) “disloyalty” to Arrhidaeus murdered; Perdiccas quickly becoming unpopular. Calms the situation by distributing satrapies to Alexander’s generals (Diadochoi); most of Western Asia Minor given to Macedonians or Greeks; Eastern (upper) satrapies left in the hands native satraps. Perdiccas in charge over all.

323 BCE – Revolts in Bactria and Greece. The Lamian War ( BCE) Athens the instigator but joined by many Greek poleis discontented with Macedonian rule; Antipater leads Macedonian fleet; Athens crushed at B. of Amorgos (322 BCE); Athenian dominance at sea finished forever; Athens garrisoned; suicide of Demosthenes. 322 BCE – Perdiccas invades Cappadocia and sets Eumenes of Cardia as satrap. 320 BCE – Perdiccas invades Egypt but is defeated and killed; a new settlement of powers and satrapies by Antipater at Triparadisus in Syria (Lysimachus master of Thrace, Ptolemy confirmed in Egypt, Antigonus Monopthalmus commander of Asia, Seleucus satrap of Babylon).

319 BCE – Antipater is dead; Polyperchon appointed regent for Alexander IV alienating Cassander (son of Antipater. Cassander invites Olympias (exiled to Epirus) to return to Macedon as guardian of Alexander IV. Intrigues with other generals against Polyperchon. Antigonous Monopthalmus smells opportunity.

“In Asia, as the news of Antipater’s death was noised about, revolutionary stirrings began to be felt, as those in positions of authority sought to work for their own ends. Chief among these was Antigonus. He had previously defeated Eumenes in Cappodocia and taken over his army, and he had overcome Alceta and Attalus in Pisidia and also taken over their armies. In addition he had been chosen by Antipater general of Asia with full powers, and appointed commander of a large army. All this filled him with self-importance and pride. He was hoping to achieve supreme power and was resolved to ignore the kings and their guardians…Antigonus then immediately called a council of his friends, communicated to them his ambitions for supreme power, and assigned satrapies to some of his most prominent followers and military commands to others. He filled them all with great hopes and made them enthusiastic for his own plans. For it was his intention to overrun Asia, expel the existing satraps and organize the appointments in favor of his friends.” (Didorus XVIII M.M. Austin, Doc. 25)

319 BCE – Lysimachus, Cassander, Ptolemy, and Antigonus move to expel Polyperchon and Eumenes. Ptolemy seizes Syria and Phoenicia. Spring 318 BCE – Eumenes retakes Phoenicia for Polyperchon; commences construction of a fleet; Polyperchon proclaims the freedom of the Greek cities garrisoned by Antipater (some defect to Polyperchon but some – i.e. Athens - go over to Cassander). Autumn 318 BCE – Polyperchon defeated at sea near Byzantium; Antigonous in control of the seas. 317 BCE – Cassander drives out Polyperchon and becomes regent of Philip Arrhidaeus. Polyperchon flees to Epirus; allies with Olympias and Alexander IV and Aeacidas of Epirus. Autumn 317 BCE - Polyperchon, Olympias et.al. invade Macedonia while Cassander is in the Peloponnese; Macedonian troops begin to defect to Polyperchon (Alexander IV); Philip Arrhidaeus executed; Cassander returns and besieges Olympias at Pydna; Olympias forced to surrender (executed in 316 BCE); Cassander retains control of Macedon.

Affairs in the east dominated by the ambitions of Antigonus. 318 BCE – Antigonus snatches control of Lydia away from Eumenes; Polyperchon’s fleet defeated off Byzantium. 317 BCE – Euemens moves east; unites the upper satrapies behind Polyperchon BCE – Stalemate between Antigonus and Eumenes. January 315 BCE – B. of Gabae (central Iran) Eumenes defeated and executed; Antigonus reorganizes Asia, replacing all the satrapies; Seleucus (satrap of Babylon) forced to flee to Ptolemy; India lost to Chandragupta Maurya.

Ptolemy, Lysimachus, and Cassander alarmed at Antigonus’ behavior in Egypt, esp. his treatment of Seleucus. Demanded Antigonus surrender his conquests and share his spoils; Antigonus flatly refuses. Spring 314 BCE – Antigonus seizes Phoenicia. Summer 314 BCE – Antigonus allies himself with Polyperchon and proclaims the “freedom of the Greeks”; Antigonus organizes the Aegean islands into the Nesiotic League. 313 BCE – The Peloponnese goes over to Antigonus and Polyperchon; stalemates in Asia and Macedon BCE – Inconclusive fighting throughout Syria and Phoenicia. 311 BCE – Seleucus returns to Babylonia; regains control; Antigonus opens peace talks; Rebalancing of powers. Cassander supreme commander in Europe; Antigonus supreme commander of Asia; Seleucus satrap of Babylonia; Lysimachus in control of Thrace; Ptolemy in Egypt; Greek cities to be free and autonomous; Alexander IV to become king when he reaches adulthood.

“When Simonides was archon in Athens, the Romans elected to the consulship Marcus Valerius and Publius Decius. While these held office, Cassander, Ptolemy, and Lysimachus came to terms with Antigonus and made a treaty. In this it was provided that Cassander be general of Europe until Alexander, the son of Roxanê, should come of age; that Lysimachus rule Thrace, and that Ptolemy rule Egypt and the cities adjacent thereto in Libya and Arabia; that Antigonus have first place in all Asia; and that the Greeks be autonomous. However, they did not abide by these agreements but each of them, putting forward plausible excuses, kept seeking to increase his own power. 2 Now Cassander perceived that Alexander, the son of Roxanê, was growing up and that word was being spread throughout Macedonia by certain men that it was fitting to release the boy from custody and give him his father's kingdom; and, fearing for himself, he instructed Glaucias, who was in command of the guard over the child, to murder Roxanê and the king and conceal their bodies, but to disclose to no one else what had been done. 3 When Glaucias had carried out the instructions, Cassander, Lysimachus, and Ptolemy, and Antigonus as well, were relieved of their anticipated danger from the king; 4 for henceforth, there being no longer anyone to inherit the realm, each of those who had rule over nations or cities entertained hopes of royal power and held the territory that had been placed under his authority as if it were a kingdom won by the spear.” (Diodorus, Trans. R.M. Greer, 1954)

“He calculated as follows: the Greeks’ hopes for freedom would make them willing allies in the war, while the generals and satraps in the upper satrapies, who suspected Antigonus of seeking to overthrow the kings who had succeeded Alexander, would change their minds and willingly submit to his orders when they saw him clearly taking up the war on his behalf. Having done this he gave 500 talents to Alexander (i.e. son of Polyperchon) and dispatched him to the Peloponnese with great hope for the future…While this was happening Ptolemy heard of the resolution concerning the freedom of the Greeks which the Macedonians with Antigonus had passed, and drafted a proclamation in much the same words to convey to the Greeks that he cared no less for their autonomy than did Antigonus. Each side saw that to gain the goodwill of the Greeks would carry no little weight, and so they vied with each other in conferring favors on them.” (Diodorus XIX M.M. Austin, Doc. 29)

311 BCE - Seleucus was not party to the peace treaty of the diadochs; marched on pro-Antigonid satrapies in the east, reducing them one by one. 310 BCE – Demetrius Poliorketes (son of Antigonus) sent east; joined later by Antigonus BCE – Brutal guerilla wars devastate the countryside; Antigonus forced to withdraw and abandon the any claims on the eastern satrapies. East BCE – Seleucus commences the recovery of all the upper satrapies (some were loyal to Antigonus and some had rebelled, asserting their independence); Seleucus conquers Bactria and invades India. West BCE – Antigonus distracted in the east and Ptolemy gains control of the Nesiotic League in his absence.

307 BCE – Demetrius (son of Antigonus) through diplomacy, bribery, and intimidation regains control of the Nesiotic League; Arrives in Athens; Hailed as a liberator and a god; Demetrius of Phaleron (Cassander’s governor) and Cassander’s garrison expelled; democracy restored. 306 BCE – Demetrius unsuccessfully tries to take Cyprus from Ptolemy but destroys Ptolemy’s fleet off Salamis; Antigonus and Demetrius honored as kings; the other diadochs follow suit; Claims to royal titles a tacit admission of the dissolution of Alexander’s empire BCE – Demetrius commences his siege of Rhodes; Cassander attempts of regain control of Greece; Rhodes capitulates to Demetrius who rushes off to Athens. 303 BCE – Demetrius organizes the Greek cities into a league (comparable to the Synedrion of Corinth). 302 BCE – Cassander seeks peace but Demetrius demands unconditional surrender of Macedonia; inconclusive campaigning in Thessaly; Lysimachus’ surprise attack against Antigonus in Asia captures Sardis and Ephesus; Demetrius rushes east to help his father. 301 BCE – Lysimachus besieged by Antigonus and Demetrius at Ipsus; Seleucus arrived to lift the siege; Antigonus killed in battle and Demetrius forced to flee with small force.

“Demetrius set sail for Athens with 500 talents and a fleet of 250 ships; the city was governed on behalf of Cassander by Demetrius of Phalerum, and a garrison had been installed in Munychia. By a combination of good luck and foresight he appeared before the Piraeus on the 26 th of Thargelion; no one had spotted him beforehand and when his fleet was sighted off-shore, they all believed the ships were Ptolemy’s and made ready to receive them. The generals were late in realizing their mistake and coming to the rescue, and there was confusion as one would expect with a forced attempt to fight off an unexpected landing of enemies. Demetrius found the entrances to the harbour open and sailed in; he was now inside and in full view and signified from his ship that he was asking for quiet and silence. When this had been established. He proclaimed through the voice of a herald near him that his father had sent him with prayers for his success to free the Athenians, expel the garrison and restore to them their laws and their ancestral constitution. On hearing this proclamation the majority at once cast down their shields at their feet and applauded, and shouted to Demetrius to disembark, calling him their benefactor and saviour…The Athenians now welcomed him and called for him, and so he came to the city, called the people together and restored to them their ancestral constitution. He added the promise that his father would send them 15,000 medimni of corn and enough timber to build 100 triremes. And so the Athenians recovered their democracy after fifteen years; in the intervening period since the Lamian War and the battle of Crannon the constitution had ostensibly been oligarchical, but was in fact the rule of one man because of the power exercised by Demetrius of Phalerum.” (Plutarch, Life of Demetrius, M.M. Austin, Doc. 34)

“Demetrius had shown magnificence and greatness in his benefactions, but the Athenians proceeded to make him offensive and obnoxious through offensive honours they voted him. They were the first to give the title kings to Demetrius and Antigonus, although they had otherwise avoided the name up till now, and it was the only royal prerogative still left to descendants of Philip and Alexander which others could not touch or share in. They were the only men to call them Saviour Gods. They abolished the ancestral eponymous archonship and elected every year a priest of the Saviours, and put his name on the prescripts of decrees and contracts. They also voted to weave their likenesses into the robe of Athena together with the gods, consecrated the spot where Demetrius first had first stepped down from his chariot, placed an altar there and called it the altar of Demetrius Cataebates (the descending god).” (Plutarch, Life of Demetrius, M.M. Austin, Doc. 34)

“The multitude then for the first time proclaimed Antigonus and Demetrius kings. Antigonus’ friends tied at once a diadem round his head, while Demetrius was sent a diadem by his father and addressed as king in a letter he wrote. When the news was reported, Ptolemy’s followers in Egypt also proclaimed Ptolemy king, to dispel any impression that his defeat had humbled his pride. And so emulation spread the practice like a contagion among the Successors: Lysimachus began to wear the diadem, and so too Seleucus in his dealings with the Greeks (with the barbarians he had already been behaving as a king). Cassander, however, although the others wrote to him and addressed him as king, continued to write letters in the same style as before, with his name only, but no title. Now this practice did not involve merely the addition of a title and a change of fashion; it stimulated the men’s pride and raised their ambitions, and made them arrogant and obnoxious in their dealings with others.” (Plutarch, Demetrius 18. M.M. Austin, Doc. 36)

“When the armies engaged, Demetrius, who commanded the greatest and best part of the cavalry, made a charge on Antiochus, the son of Seleucus, and gloriously routing the enemy, followed the pursuit, in the pride and exultation of success, so eagerly, and so unwisely far, that it fatally lost him the day; for when, perceiving his error, he would have come in to the assistance of his own infantry, he was not able, the enemy with their elephants having cut off his retreat. And on the other hand, Seleucus, observing the main battle of Antigonus left naked of their horse, did not charge, but made a show of charging; and keeping them in alarm and wheeling about and still threatening an attack, he gave opportunity for those who wished it to separate and come over to him; which a large body of them did, the rest taking to flight. But the old King Antigonus still kept his post, and when a strong body of the enemies drew up to charge him, and one of those about him cried out to him, 'Sir, they are coming upon you,' he only replied, 'What else should they do? But Demetrius will come to my rescue.' And in this hope he persisted to the last, looking out on every side for his son's approach, until he was borne down by a whole multitude of darts, and fell. His other followers and friends fled, and Thorax of Larissa remained alone by the body.” (Plutarch, Demetrius 29, Trans. J. Nalson).

After Ipsus Antigonus’ territory divided up among the victors; Lysimachus took most of Asia Minor, Seleucus received Syria and Palestine, Cappadocia given to Ariarathes (a close dependent of Seleucus), Ptolemy in Egypt. Demetrius beaten but still control of certain cities in the Peloponnese as well as the Nesiotic League and Cyprus. 300 BCE - Ptolemy irritated by loss of Palestine to Seleucus; Marries off his daughter (Arsinoe II) to Lysimachus. 299 BCE - Seleucus marries Demetrius’ daughter (Stratonice). 298 BCE – Demetrius seizes Lycia and Cilicia while Seleucus takes Samaria from Ptolemy; Cassander dies; Macedon divided between his two sons (Antipater in the west, Alexander in the east); immediate quarrels. 297 BCE – Athens revolts from Demetrius’ control BCE – Demetrius besieges Athens and forces its capitulation; Athens garrisoned. 294 BCE – Demetrius brings the entire Peloponnese under his control; Alexander (of Macedon) still locked in a civil war with brother (Antipater); invited Demetrius and Pyrrhus of Epirus to assist; Pyrrhus arrives first and standoff ensues with Demetrius; Demetrius kills Alexander, seizes his army, and drives out Antipater BCE – Demetrius firmly in control of Macedonia; Many of his eastern territories snatched by Seleucus, Ptolemy, and Lysimachus with little resistance.

288 BCE – The Macedonian nobles revolt from Demetrius; Antigonas II Gonatas (son of Demetrius) left in charge of Greece; Demetrius moves east to attack the other diadochs. 287 BCE – Lysimachus and Pyrrhus invade Macedonia; Athens captured by Ptolemy BCE – Demetrius fights a series of ineffectual campaigns against Seleucus and Lysimachus; captured by Seleucus (286 BCE); Demetrius descends into dissipation and drink; drinks himself to death (283 BCE); Antigonus II Gonatas driven out of Macedonia. 285 BCE – Pyrrhus and Lysimachus quarrel over Macedonia; Ptolemy I abdicates (dies in 282 BCE) in favor of his son Ptolemy II Philadelphos alienating his other son Ptolemy Ceraunus (who flees to Seleucus) BCE – Dynastic struggle in the house of Lysimachus leads to Seleucus’ intervention in Thrace; Antiochus I (son of Seleucus) appointed his successor and left in charge of eastern satrapies; Seleucus defeats Lysimachus at b. of Corupedium; Lysimachus dead; Seleucus continues toward Thrace but is assassinated by Ptolemy Ceraunus; Ceraunus in control of Macedon. 279 BCE – The death of Lysimachus weakened Macedonia and Thrace; Gauls invade Macedonia; Ptolemy Ceraunus is captured and beheaded; Macedonia in turmoil and leaderless. 278 BCE – Gauls descend into Greece; partially repelled by Antigonas II Gonatas. 277 BCE – Gauls ransack Thrace and cross into Asia Minor; Antigonas II seizes control of Thracian towns; Victories over the Gauls cause him to be cheered as king of Macedonia and Thrace. 275 BCE – Antiochus (son of Seleucus) finally defeats the Gauls in Asia Minor.

“Greek spirit had sunk right down, but the power of fear forced them to realize that Greece must fight. They saw that this struggle was not about freedom as it once was against Persia; it was not going to be enough now to offer earth and water. What had happened to Macedonia, to Thrace, to Paeonia, in the previous onslaught of the Gauls, was still in their memory, and news came of. the outrages that were now being committed in Thessaly. Every man as an individual and every city collectively had realized that the Greeks must overcome or be destroyed….So he [Brennus] chose 40,000 infantry out of the army, and about 800 cavalry, and put Orestorius and Cambutis in command, to go back by the bridges of the Spercheius, make their way through Thessaly, and strike at Aetolia. It was Cambutis and Orestorius who committed the atrocities on the Callians, the mast horrifying wickedness I have ever heard of, not like the crimes of human beings at all. They butchered every human male of that entire race, the old men and the children at the breast; and the Gauls drank the blood and ate the flesh of those of the slaughtered babies that were fattest with milk. Any woman and mature virgins with a spark of pride killed themselves as soon as the city fell; those who lived were subjected with wanton violence to every form of outrage by men as remote from mercy as they were remote from love. Women who came on a Gaulish sword committed suicide with their own hands; it was not long before the others were to die by famishing hunger and sleeplessness, outraged in an endless succession by pitiless and barbarous men: they mated with the dying and mated with the already dead.” (Pausanias Trans. P. Levi - dn/diadochi/diadochi_t11.html)

Polis system still intact in Greece; under the hegemony of Macedonian kings; no change since Philip II. Former Persian Empire (empire of Alexander) carved up into several large chunks; existing infrastructure left in place (esp. in Ptolemaic Egypt and Seleucid east). Right to rule determined by the ability to wage war; an extension of the logic of Athenian imperial ideology to individuals. Hellenistic kings rule as warrior elite; exercise personal hegemony over poleis through combination of intimidation and euergetism.

“But as soon as he had entered upon the path of hope, as upon a royal highway, and had gathered about himself a body and form of sovereignty, he restored to the Thebans their ancient form of government; the Athenians, however, revolted from him. They voted to elect archons as had been their custom of old, and took away from Diphilus, who had been appointed priest of the Saviour-gods, the privilege of giving his name to the current year; and when they saw that Demetrius had more strength than they expected, they summoned Pyrrhus to their aid from Macedonia. 2 Demetrius came up against them in a rage, and began a strenuous siege of the city. But the people sent to him Crates the philosopher, a man of great repute and influence, and Demetrius, partly because he was induced to grant the ambassador's appeals in behalf of the Athenians, and partly because he was convinced when the philosopher showed him what would be an advantageous course, raised the siege, and after assembling all the ships he had, and putting on board eleven thousand soldiers, together with his cavalry, he sailed for Asia, to wrest Caria and Lydia from Lysimachus.” (Plut. Demetrius, 46. Trans. B. Perrin, 1920).

“Demetrius therefore determined to put as much distance as possible between himself and Lysimachus, and to turn his arms against Pyrrhus; for Lysimachus as he thought, was a fellow-countryman and congenial to many of the Macedonians because of Alexander; while Pyrrhus was a new-comer and a foreigner, and would not be preferred by them before himself. In these calculations, however, he was greatly deceived. 5 For he drew nigh and pitched his camp by that of Pyrrhus; but his soldiers had always admired that leader's brilliant exploits in arms, and from of old they had been wont to consider the man who was mightiest in arms as also the most kingly….” (Plut. Demetrius, Trans. B. Perrin, 1920).

“Monarchy. It is neither descent nor legitimacy which gives monarchies to men, but the ability to command an army and to handle affairs competently. Such was the case with Philip and the successors of Alexander. For Alexander’s natural son was in no way helped by his kinship with him, because of his weakness of spirit, while those who had no connection with Alexander became kings of almost the whole inhabitable world (Suda s.v. Basileia 2. M.M. Austin, Doc. 37)