footnote buttons.
| June 10th, 323 | Alexander dies in Babylon. Perdiccas takes control
as ‘regent’ |
Perdiccas, Seleucus, Eumenes vs. Ptolemy, Peithon, Leonnatus and perhaps Lysimachus. | |||
| End of 323 |
News of Alexander's death reaches Greece. Outbreak of revolt: "Lamian War". |
Macedonian garrison expelled from Rhodes. | Nearchus suggests Barsine's son Herakles.. Ptolemy suggests a ruling council. (Q.C. 10.6.13-15).
Agreement of the Commanders to make Roxanne's child king. Meleager leads the infantry to demand Philip Arrhidaeus. |
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| Near civil war (Q.C. 10.7.16ff) . Compromise of joint kingship negotiated by Eumenes. | |||||
| Appointment of Perdiccas as Chiliarch, and Perdiccas & Leonnatus as Regents: the Satrapies allocated. 3 | Dominance of Perdiccas. For a map of the distribution of the satrapies in a new window, click here:  |
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| Ritual purification of the Phalanx (A.A. 1.4, D.S. 17.4.7, Q.C. 10.9.9-19). Soon after, Meleager is assassinated (Q.C. 10.9.19-21). Reading Alexander's will and last plans: they are annulled by the army assembly. 4 | Ptolemy goes to Egypt: he takes over from Cleomenes. | ||||
| Aug. / Sept. 322 | Birth of Alexander IV. | ||||
| 322 | Leonnatus invades Cappadocia to establish Eumenes as Satrap, but makes little effort. | Peithon is sent out to put down the revolt of the colonists in Bactria (D.S. 18.7). He succeeds, but his plans to enlist the rebels for himself are thwarted. | Perdiccas negotiates with Olympias; Antipater negotiates with Leonnatus, Craterus & Ptolemy (D.S. 18.12.1ff.: "Philotas" is an error). | ||
| Spring 322 | Leonnatus goes to Greece to link up with Cleopatra, who has offered marriage (D.S. 18.14ff., Plutarch Eumenes 3-5). He relieves the siege of Lamia, freeing Antipater, but is killed (D.S. 18.15.1, Plutarch Phocion 25). Cleitus defeats an Athenian fleet of 200 at Amorgos. |
Craterus leaves Cilicia to assist in Greece (D.S. 18.16.4-5). |
Eumenes, unable to conquer Cappadocia without the forces of Leonnatus & Antigonus, returns to Babylon. Perdiccas returns with him to Cappadocia, and pacifies it (A.A. 1.11). He remains there for a period (D.S. 18.16.3, Plutarch, Eumenes 3, 7) | ||
| August 322 | Craterus and Antipater defeat the allied Greek forces at Crannon in Thessaly. October: Athens surrenders (Plutarch, Phocion 28). Franchise limited to 9,000: 12,000 poor citizens sent to Thrace (D.S. 18.18.1-6). Macedonian garrison in the Piraeus. Suicide of Demosthenes. (Plutarch, Phocion, Demosthenes) | Ptolemy takes over Cyrene (Marmor Parium 10, A.A. 1.17-19). He builds up substantial forces (D.S. 18.14.1-2, 21.6-9, 28.3-6). | Marriage alliance (Phila) between Antipater & Craterus (D.S. 18.18.7); Antipater also agrees to a marriage alliance (Nicaea) with Perdiccas (D.S. 18.23.1, A.A. 21, Justin 13.6). | ||
| 321 | Olympias sends her daughter Cleopatra to Perdiccas
at Sardis (A.A. 1.21).
Antipater sends Nicaea to Perdiccas at the same time. Antipater, Craterus & Antigonus fight Aetolia (D.S. 18.24-25). |
Perdiccas moves against Antigonus, who prepares
to flee Asia for Greece (D.S. 18.23.4, A.A. 1.20).
In Sardis, Perdiccas vacillates between Nicaea and Cleopatra; he marries Nicaea (A.A. 1.21). Arrival from Macedon of Cynnane & Adea, who (as Eurydike) marries Philip Arrhidaeus (A.A. 1.22-3, Polyaenus 8.60, D.S. 19.52.5). Encouraged by Eumenes, Perdiccas secretly breaks links with Antipater, attempting marriage with Cleopatra, Alexander's sister. Antigonus informs Antipater. Nov.-Dec.: Under pressure, Antigonus flees to Antipater. (D.S. 18.23-24) |
Alexander's body and funeral cortege is escorted west. Ptolemy hijacks the body, and takes it to Memphis (D.S. 18.28.2-3, A.A. 1.25, 24.1). |
Ptolemy has Cleomenes killed (Pausanias 1.6.3). |
Alliance of Antipater, Craterus & Antigonus against Perdiccas and his faction. |
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Antigonus moves to Asia Minor with 3,000 troops. |
Perdiccas prepares to invade Egypt, leaving Eumenes to hold the Hellespont and negotiate Perdiccas' marriage with Cleopatra, in Sardis (D.S. 18.29.1-3, A.A. 1.26). Antigonus' sudden arrival forces Eumenes to flee to Phrygia. He then attempts to hold the Hellespont against Craterus and Antipater. | ||||
| 320 | First Diadoch War | Craterus and Antipater cross the Hellespont, gaining many allies. Craterus opposes Eumenes; Antipater pursues Perdiccas, and Antigonus takes naval forces to Cyprus | Perdiccas, Seleucus and others invade Egypt to recover the body of Alexander. | Perdiccas, Eumenes, Seleucus vs. Ptolemy, Craterus, Lysimachus, Antipater & Antigonus. | |
| May 320 | Eumenes defeats Neoptolemos (D.S. 18.29.4-6, A.A. 1.27, Plutarch, Eumenes 5.2-5) and then Craterus (near Cappadocia, D.S. 18.37.1, Plutarch, Eumenes 8.1); both Neoptolemos & Craterus are killed. | In Egypt Perdiccas becomes steadily less popular and is assassinated near Memphis by Peithon & others, almost certainly with Ptolemy's connivance (D.S. 18.33). | |||
| Within days, news of Eumenes' victory over Craterus reaches the army in Egypt, just too late. Eumenes & his close allies are condemned by the army (D.S. 18.37). | |||||
| The assassins of Perdiccas, Peithon & Arrhidaeus (not King
Philip) move the royal army north into Syria. Eurydike gathers support
(A.A. 1.31, D.S. 18.39.1-2).
Antipater arrives from Cilicia and Antigonus from Cyprus; they encamp separately (Polyaenus 4.6.4), and face a riot about arrears of pay. With the help of Antigonus & Seleucus, Antipater restores order. (D.S. 18.39.4, A.A. 32-3). |
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| June-
July 320 |
Triparadeisos agreement.
D.S. 18.39.5-6, A.A. 1.34-7.
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Seleucus is allocated Babylon. |
Ptolemy retains Egypt. |
Antipater, Antigonus & Ptolemy vs. Eumenes and the remaining Perdiccans. | |
| Late 320 | Preliminary campaigns against Eumenes. Problems with discipline and pay. Cassander complains against Antigonus. Antipater becomes sole Regent, gives Antigonus further troops (A.A. 1.43-4) and returns to Macedon with the Kings, Philip Arrhidaeus & Alexander IV. | Seleucus enters Babylon. He cultivates links with the native power structure. | |||
| 319
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Death of Antipater. Despite the efforts of his son, Cassander, Polyperchon inherits the Regency (D.S. 18.48.4-5). |
Antigonus is now "Strategos of Asia" (D.S. 18.40.1):
his son Demetrius marries Antipater's daughter Phila (previously married to Craterus).
He campaigns against Eumenes: Battle of Orkynia (D.S. 18.40-41, Plutarch, Eumenes 9.2, Polyaenus 4.6.12, 19). Eumenes besieged at Nora (D.S. 18.41 (but whether Antigonus was already planning an alliance with Eumenes is doubtful), Plutarch Eumenes 10). |
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| Mid- summer
319 |
Polyperchon partially "frees the Greek cities", offering to return the situation to that under Philip and Alexander (D.S. 18.55-56).
Possible propaganda origins of the "Liber de Morte". |
Antigonus marches to confront other Perdiccans (Attalos and Alketas) in Pisidia (D.S.18.44-5, Polyaenus 4.6.7), defeats them and captures Termessos (which even Alexander had not captured). Returning to Phrygia, Antigonus learns of the death of Antipater. | Ptolemy gains control of Syria & Palestine (Appian, Syr. 52, D.S. 18.43, 62). | ||
| 318 | Polyperchon calls in Olympias to raise her grandson Alexander
IV (D.S. 18.49.4). Cassander opposes Polyperchon
(D.S. 18.49) and flees to Antigonus (D.S. 18.54),
who gives him forces.
Acting as Regent, Polyperchon authorises Eumenes to fight Antigonus (Plutarch, Eumenes 13, D.S. 18.55), but cannot regain control of Athens or Megalopolis, which remain loyal to Cassander.Cassander returns to support them (D.S. 18.64-72, Plutarch, Phocion 31-33). Polyperchon's "Freedom Decree"??
|
Antigonus offers Eumenes an alliance. Eumenes
swears loyalty to the Kings (instead of to Antigonus), and is freed
(Plutarch, Eumenes 12).
Antigonus takes control of Hellespontine Phrygia and Lydia (D.S. 18.51-2). Eumenes escapes into Cilicia where he gains control of the Silver Shields (D.S. 18.59-62, Polyaenus 4.8.2, Plutarch, Eumenes 13.2-4). |
Second Diadoch War | Polyperchon (Regent), Kleitus, Olympias & Eumenes
vs. Antigonus, Cassander, Ptolemy & Lysimachus. |
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| 317 | Rivalry between Eurydike and Polyperchon in Macedon.
Polyperchon sends Cleitus with a fleet to hold the Hellespont against Antigonus (D.S. 18.72). May: death of Phocion. Cassander's forces invade Greece, leaving Demetrius of Phaleron
in Athens as Tyrant (D.S. 18.74).
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Eumenes enters Phoenicia, and builds a fleet (D.S. 18.63.6).
Antigonus sends Nikanor with 130 ships to the Hellespont (Polyaenus
4.6.8) and himself marches with an army.
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Peithon attempts to control the Upper Satrapies.
Peucastas and the other Satraps defeat him, and he goes to Babylon for help from Seleucus (D.S. 19.14). |
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| In Macedon Eurydike takes control and orders Polyperchon to
surrender to Cassander (D.S. 19.11, Justin 15.5).
Cassander invades Macedonia, and takes charge of Roxanne and Alexander IV. Then, while Cassander campaigns in the south, Polyperchon and Olympias invade Macedon; Eurydike's army desert and she and Philip Arrhidaeus are captured and executed (D.S. 19.11, Justin 14.5, Athenaeus 13.560f., October 317). Olympias' reign of terror in Macedon. |
Eumenes retreats to Mesopotamia (D.S. 18.73), and negotiates with Seleucus and Peithon (D.S. 19.12) | ||||
| 316 | Cassander invades Macedon, and besieges Olympias in Pydna. (D.S. 19.31-36, 49-51, Justin 14.5-6). | Eumenes' negotiations fail, and he moves to Susa. There he leads the Satraps under Peucestas, as deputy of the Kings (D.S. 19.15). Antigonus pursues him, and allies with Seleucus and Peithon. Eumenes defeats him at the crossing of the Kopratas river (D.S. 19.18, Plutarch, Eumenes 14). Antigonus moves to Ecbatana in Media through the Kossaian mountains (D.S. 19.19). Eumenes moves to Persepolis, where he secures his leadership (D.S. 19.21-3, Plutarch Eumenes 14.3, Polyaenus 4.8.3). At some point here Eumenes learns of the death of Philip Arrhidaeus. They converge on Paraitacene, between Media and Persia. Battle of Paraitacene (D.S. 19.24-30, Plutarch, Eumenes 14-15). Antigonus' forced march to Gabiene (D.S. 19.37-8, Plutarch Eumenes 15, Polyaenus 4.6.11, 4.8.4). Battle of Gabiene (D.S. 19.39-44, Plutarch Eumenes 16-17, Polyaenus 4.6.13). Eumenes wins, but is betrayed by the Silver Shields, and executed. | Antigonus vs. Eumenes. | ||
| 315 | Cassander takes control of Macedon, and has Olympias executed. He marries Thessalonike, re-founds Thebes, founds Cassandreia, and controls Alexander IV and Roxanne (D.S. 19.52). | Antigonus and his forces winter in Cilicia. | Antigonus executes Peithon for plotting revolt (D.S. 19.46, Polyaenus 4.6.14). He collects the Ecbatana treasury and moves south to Persepolis. He reorganises the Satrapies (D.S. 19.48), and marches via Susa to Babylon. Here he quarrels with Seleucus, who flees to Ptolemy (Appian, Syrian Wars 53, D.S. 19.55). Antigonus marches to Cilicia. | Seleucus arrives in Egypt. Negotiations between Ptolemy,Cassander and Lysimachus. | |
| 314 | Envoys from the allies meet Antigonus in Syria with the demand that
he give up Syria and half of Asia Minor (D.S. 19.57.1). He refuses
(D.S. 19.57.2, Appian, Syr. 53). Antigonus immediately sends an
army against Cassander's forces in Cappadocia, to hold the Hellespont against
him. Antigonus allies with Polyperchon in southern Greece, offering him the position of strategos in the Peloponnese in return for the Regency. (D.S. 19.57.5, 60-61). He starts building a fleet to dominate the Aegean. Besieging Tyre, he proclaims himself guardian of Alexander IV and Roxanne, and decrees the "Freedom of the Greeks" (D.S. 19.61). Seleucus acts as a naval commander for Ptolemy. |
Third Diadoch War. |
Ptolemy also declares his support for the "Freedom of the Greeks". |
Cassander, Ptolemy (and Seleucus) &
Lysimachus vs. Antigonus (claiming the Regency) & Demetrius. |
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| 313 | Ptolemy sends a major force to link up with Seleucus on Cyprus (D.S.
19.62.3-6), from which he supports Polyperchon in southern Greece. Cassander
campaigns south from Macedon (D.S. 19.63-4), and sends forces into
Caria (D.S. 19.67).
The Aetolians ally with Antigonus, the Acharnanians with Cassander. (D.S. 19.67). |
Antigonus finally captures Tyre, and sends fleets to Greece and the Aegean.
League of the Islanders formed. Discussions with Ptolemy fail (D.S.
19.64.8).
Antigonus' generals capture Cassander's force in Caria (D.S. 19.68.5-7); his admiral Medeios of Larissa captures Cassander's fleet (D.S. 19.69.2-3). |
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| 312 | Revolts against Lysimachus in Thrace, aided by Antigonus, are defeated (D.S. 19.73). Antigonus' forces move against Cassander in Greece, taking control of all but Athens. |
Ptolemy's forces strengthen his control of Cyprus, and raid Antigonus' territory in Syria and Cilicia. Ptolemy & Seleucus invade Sinai, and defeat Demetrius at the Battle of Gaza (D.S. 19.80-85, Plutarch, Demetrius 5.1-6, Appian, Syr. 54, Pausanias 1.6.5, Justin 15.1.6-9). The allies take control of Syria-Palestine as far as Tyre, but Demetrius' counterattack (D.S. 19.93, Plutarch, Demetrius 6:1-2) and the arrival of Antigonus with major forces leads them to retreat back to Egypt. | Ptolemy puts down a revolt in Cyrene. | ||
| 311 | Antigonus & Demetrius are held off by the Nabatean Arabs (D.S. 19.94-97). Treaty between Antigonus, and Cassander, Lysimachus & Ptolemy: Austin Doc. 31, D.S. 19.105.1. Seleucus omitted. |
Seleucus returns in secret to Babylon (D.S. 19.86, 90-91; the chronology of Appian, Syr. 54 may be mistaken). He rapidly defeats Antigonus' satraps under Nicanor, and extends his power east (D.S. 19.92, Babylonian Chronicle). | Alliance of convenience ends the "Third Diadoch War": the Successors recognise one anothers' claims. "Freedom of the Greeks" guaranteed. | ||
| 310 | Cassander has Roxanne & Alexander IV murdered (D.S. 19.105). Polemaios and Phoenix, Antigonus' deputies in Greece and the Hellespont, revolt (D.S. 20.19.2). Antigonus supplies Polyperchon with Herakles, reputed to be Alexander's son by Barsine (D.S. 20.20.1-4). |
After some months Antigonus learns of Seleucus' return to Babylon: Demetrius is sent east with 20,000 men (D.S. 19.100-4-5). While Seleucus campaigns in Persia, Demetrius captures most of Babylon, but Seleucus' commander holds him off. Demetrius returns to Asia Minor (Plutarch, Dem 7.3), leaving behind forces which are defeated by Seleucus (Babylonian Chronicle). | Ptolemy reopens hostilities, accusing Antigonus of garrisoning Greek cities in Cilicia (D.S. 20.19.3-4). | ||
| 309 | Polyperchon invades Macedon, but accepts Cassander's offer of command of the Peloponnese, and has Herakles killed (D.S. 20.20.1-4, 20.28.1-4, Justin 15.2.3). Polyperchon fades from the scene. | Ptolemy campaigns extensively in Lycia and Caria against Antigonus. | |||
| 308 | Ptolemy (co-operating with Antigonus' governor against Cassander?) invades Greece and fortifies several towns on the Isthmus of Corinth. After the death of Cleopatra he returns to Egypt, but holds the Isthmus (D.S. 20.37.1-2). Lysimachus founds Lysimacheia (D.S. 20.29.1). |
Cleopatra, seeking a marriage alliance with Ptolemy, is murdered on the orders of Antigonus (D.S. 20.37.3-6). Foundation of Antigoneia Troas? |
Antigonus marches against Seleucus with 40,000 men. Seleucus mostly avoids pitched battles (Polyaenus 4.9.1?), and harasses his forces. | ||
| 307 | June: a surprise attack by Demetrius liberates Athens from Cassander, and ejects Demetrius of Phaleron (Polyaenus 4.7.2, 6, Plutarch Dem. 8-9, D.S. 20.45). Democracy re-established. The Athenians honour both his father and he as Kings and Saviours. Megara is also captured (D.S. 20.46.3, Plutarch Dem. 9). Over winter Demetrius prepares to invade Crete. | Seleucus operates unhampered in the East. He founds Seleucia on the Tigris. | |||
| 306 | Demetrius defeats Ptolemy and gains control of Cyprus (D.S. 20.47-53, Plutarch, Dem. 16-17, Polyaenus 4.7.7). | Antigonus & Demetrius "officially" hailed as Kings (Plutarch, Demetrius 17-18). | Demetrius' unsuccessful invasion of Egypt. | ||
| 305 | Demetrius' siege of Rhodes; it is eventually broken by Ptolemy, who is hailed as Saviour by the Rhodians. | Seleucus' eastern campaigns. | Ptolemy claims the title of King. | ||
| 304 | Demetrius breaks Cassander's siege of Athens; he consolidates his control of Greece against Cassander and spends winter in the Parthenon. | Seleucus gives up Arachosia and Parapamisadae to Chandragupta Maurya in exchange for 500 war elephants. | |||
| 303 | Demetrius invades the Peloponnese; he captures Corinth and refounds Sicyon, renaming it Demetrias. He refounds the League of Corinth and prepares to invade Macedon with an army of more than 50,000 men. | Seleucus returns to the West with large forces. | |||
| 302 | Cassander remains in Macedon rebuilding his control, but sends forces to Asia Minor. | Demetrius is initiated into the Eleusinian mysteries at Athens. Well into his invasion of Thessaly, is recalled by Antigonus. He takes Ephesus from Lysimachus. | |||
| 301 | Battle of Ipsus: defeat and death of Antigonus. | Ptolemy controls Syria-Palestine. | |||
| 300 | Demetrius attacks Lysimachus. Lysimachus marries Arsinoe II. | Alliance between Ptolemy & Lysimachus vs. Demetrius & Seleucus. | |||
| 299 | Treaty between Ptolemy & Demetrius. | ||||
| 298 | Cassander unsuccessfully attacks Corcyra. | Demetrius and Seleucus occupy southern Asia Minor. | |||
| 297 | Death of Cassander; after the death of his eldest son Philip, his younger sons reign as joint kings in Macedon. | ||||
| 296 | Demetrius besieges Athens. | ||||
| 295 | Demetrius in the Peloponnese. He captures Piraeus. |
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| 294 | Demetrius seizes Athens; ruler cult. He captures Macedon and is acclaimed King. | ||||
| 293 | Demetrius suppresses revolt in Boeotia. Foundation of Demetrias. | ||||
| 292 | Lysimachus captured by the Getae. More revolts against Demetrius in Boeotia. | ||||
| 291 | Pyrrhus invades Thessaly but is driven out by Demetrius, who suppresses Boeotian revolts, recapturing Thebes. | ||||
| 290 | Demetrius takes control of Corcyra. On his return to Athens he is hymned as a god. | ||||
| 289 | Demetrius invades Aetolia but is defeated by Pyrrhus. | ||||
| 288 | Pyrrhus and Lysimachus invade and partition Macedon. Demetrius flees to Cassandreia. | Seleucus, Ptolemy, Pyrrhus & Lysimachus vs. Demetrius. | |||
| 287 | Demetrius is driven out of Macedon. Pyrrhus is acclaimed king and invades Thessaly. Athenian democratic revolt against Demetrius. He attacks Lysimachus and besieges Athens. | ||||
| 286 | Demetrius captures Sardis. | ||||
| 285 | Lysimachus controls Macedon. | Demetrius captured by Seleucus. | |||
| 284 | |||||
| 283 | Lysimachus executes his son Agathocles. | Death of Demetrius in captivity. | Ptolemy II King of Egypt. | ||
| 282 | Agathocles' widow Lysandra and Ptolemy Ceraunos flee to Seleucus. Defection of Pergamon to Seleucus. He invades Asia Minor. | ||||
| 281 | Antigonus Gonatas captures Athens, but is defeated by Ptolemy Ceraunos. | Battle of Corupedion, near Sardis. Lysimachus is killed. Seleucus invades Macedon, but is assassinated by Ptolemy Ceraunos, who rules Macedon. | Antiochus I King of Seleucid empire. | ||
| 280 | Gauls invade Thrace. | ||||
| 279 | Major Gallic invasions; death in battle of Ptolemy Ceraunos. Gauls invade Greece but are driven out by the Aetolians. | Ptolemeia celebrated in Alexandria. | |||
| 278 | Gallic invasion of Asia Minor. | ||||
| 277 | Anarchy in Macedon. Antigonus Gonatas wins the battle of Lysimacheia. Hailed as king, he conquers Thessaly and captures Cassandreia. | The Gauls occupy Galatia. | |||
| 276 | Antigonus Gonatas recognised as king of Macedon. | Philetairos of Pergamon resists the Gauls. | |||
| 275 | Pyrrhus returns from Italy. | Antigonus I defeats the Gauls. Philetairos mints his own coins at Pergamon. | |||
| 274 | Pyrrhus invades Macedon and Thessaly. | Ptolemy II campaigns in Asia Minor. | 1st Syrian War. | ||
| 273 | Pyrrhus and his son drive Antigonus from Macedon. | ||||
| 272 | Pyrrhus invades the Peloponnese; Antigonus Gonatas regains control of Macedon. Pyrrhus is killed at Argos. | ||||
| 271 | Antigonus Gonatas regains full control of Macedon. | Ptolemy II wins full control of coastal Syria. First Syrian War ends. | |||
| 270 | Antiochus I defeats the Gauls. |