Was the Succession of Alexander the Great’s Empire a Mistake? The Wars of the Diadochi and Its Impact

Introduction: The Death of Alexander the Great

As Alexander the Great passed away in June 323 BCE, the world was left wondering about the future of his vast empire. The generals, seeking stability, agreed that the new leader should be a male Argead, either Philip Arrhidaeus, his mentally challenging brother, or his unborn son, Alexander IV. However, the choice of Philip was vetoed due to his poor health, leading to a temporary agreement on Alexander IV until he came of age. This brief period of shared leadership paved the way for what would become the tumultuous Wars of the Diadochi, a series of conflicts that would divide the empire into four major kingdoms.

The Formation of the Diadochi Kingdoms

Each of the leading generals was appointed as the ruler of one of the dioceses, resulting in the division of the empire. Ptolemy, the satrap of Egypt, became a significant player. Key figures such as Antipater of Macedon, Lysimachus of Thrace, and Antigonus of Phrygia, Lycia, and Pamphylia also carved out their own territories. For a visual representation of the dioceses, see the map on Wikipedia.

The complexity of this period is reminiscent of the intricate political games in the popular TV series, Game of Thrones (GOT). The intrigue and conflicts among the Macedonian generals were no less dramatic and just as engaging.

Causes of the Wars of the Diadochi

Several factors contributed to the breaking out of these wars. The primary reasons were:

The ambitious and often self-serving nature of some of the generals. The incapability of the legal heirs, like Alexander IV, to lead the empire. The tides of war excitement that drove the generals to prove their military prowess and leadership qualities.

It was a time when a good ruler had to be not only a conqueror but also an experienced military commander, an idea encapsulated in the later campaign of Pyrrhus against Rome, where military success was paramount.

Impact on the Hellenistic Kingdoms

Despite the initial divisions, the Hellenistic kingdoms that emerged were far from being weak or ineffective. Ptolemy’s dynasty ruled Egypt for two centuries before it was absorbed by the Romans. The Seleucid Empire, which spanned from 321 to 63 BCE, was a significant player. The kingdom of Pergamon (281-133 BCE) and the Greco-Bactrian kingdom (250-130 BCE) also left lasting legacies.

Moving beyond mere territorial control, the Hellenistic kingdoms became centers of cultural innovation and revival. They attracted the best Greek craftsmen and tutors, fostering a new era of globalized culture. This period saw significant advancements in various fields such as science, art, philosophy, and medicine, which had a profound impact on the Mediterranean world, propelling it from the ancient period into a new era.

Conclusion: Could the Tumult Have Been Avoided?

The answer is simply no. The combination of personal ambitions, the incapability of the legal heirs, and the prevailing excitement for military glory made the avoidance of these wars highly unlikely. However, the legacy of the Hellenistic age stands as a testament to the enduring strength and resilience of the empire's surviving kingdoms.

Further Reading

For deeper insights into the Wars of the Diadochi, Angelos Chaniotis' book The Age of Conquest: The Greek Empire of the First Centuries BCE (336–31 BCE) provides a detailed and engaging examination of this tumultuous period.