1. The Successors of Alexander the Great
Western Civ

2. The Death of Alexander
323 BCE: Alexander the Great dies in Babylon, a month from his 33rd birthday
Poisoning?
Malaria?
Alcohol Poisoning?
Q: Who did he name as his heir??

3. A: NO ONE Who inherits his vast empire?
Let’s review some of the candidates…

4. Seleukos “Nicator” Σέλευκος Νικάτωρ
Macedonian Officer to Alexander
Takes control of Babylon, Eastern Conquests all the way to Annatolia
Death: Murdered in 281
Seleucid Empire

5. Ptolemy “Soter” Πτολεμαῖος Σωτήρ
Another Macedonian General
Takes control of Egypt; parts of Arabia, Libya, Annatolia, Palestine
Death: Peacefully, in 283
Ptolemaic Empire

6. Antigonus “Monopthalmus” Ἀντίγονος ὁ Μονόφθαλμος
Macedonian General, Nobleman, Satrap
Takes control of Annatolia, Palestine, eventually just Macedonia
Death: Killed at Battle of Ipsus in 301
Antigonid Empire

7. Antipater & Cassander Ἀντίπατρος, Κάσσανδρος
Regent of Macedon during conquests
Macedonia, with son Cassander
Deaths: Antipater- Peacefully, in 319, Cassander- peacefully, in 297
Macedonia and Greece

8. 40 years of conflicts
Antigonus, Lysimachus, Craterus, Cassander, Polyperchon, Seleukos, Ptolemy, Eumenes, Perdiccas, et. al. fight endlessly
Wars carried over several generations
Alliances, counter-alliances, betrayals, assassinations, battles, the works

9. The Last Ones Standing…
In 197 BCE Romans take control of Greece after routing Macedonian army at Cynoscephylae
Seleucids defeated by Rome at Thermopylae and Magnesia, empire overthrown by Parthians
Macedon under complete Roman control after battle of Pydna in 168 BCE

10. The Last Ones Standing…
Ptolemaic Egypt remains ally of Rome until Octavian declares war on Antony and Cleopatra
Octavian annexes Egypt in BCE after defeating Antony and Cleopatra at Actium
Last Successor State gone, Mediterranean Sea now Roman Lake

11. Pictures! War Elephant Pezhetairoi Heavily armored Cataphract Cavalry
Heliopolis at Rhodes