The Wars of Alexander's Successors, 323–281 BC: Volume 1 — Commanders and Campaigns

When the dying Alexander the Great was asked to whom he bequeathed his vast empire, he supposedly replied, “To the strongest.” There followed a long series of struggles between his generals and governors for control of those territories. Most of these Diadochi (Successors) were consummate professionals who had learned the art of war under Alexander or his father, Philip. Few died peacefully, and the last survivors of this tough breed were still leading armies against each other well into their seventies. Colourful characters, epic battles, treachery and subterfuge make this a compelling period of ancient history and warfare. The wars shaped the map from the Balkans to India for centuries.

This first volume introduces key figures including Antigonos Monophthalmus (“the One-Eyed”), his son Demetrius Poliorcetes (“the Besieger”), Seleucus Nicator (“the Victorious”) and Ptolemy Soter (“the Saviour”). It then traces the causes and course of the wars from Alexander’s death to the Battle of Corupedium in 281 BC, when the last two original Diadochi faced each other for a final time.