Perdiccas
d. 321 BC
|
WARS OF THE DIODOCHI |
Perdiccas, was one of Alexander the Great's generals who distinguished himself at the
conquest of Thebes (335
B.
C.), and held an important command in the Indian campaigns of Alexander.
In the settlement made after Alexander's death (323
B.
C.) it was finally agreed that Philip Arrhidaeus,
an insane son of the great Philip, and Roxana's unborn child (if a son) should be recognized as
joint kings, Perdiccas being appointed, according to one account, guardian and regent. He soon
showed himself intolerant of any rivals, and acting in
the name of the two kings sought to hold the empire
together under his own hand. His most loyal supporter was Eumenes, governor of Cappadocia and
Paphlagonia. These provinces had not yet been conquered by the Macedonians, and Antigonus (governor
of Phrygia, Lycia and Pamphylia) refused to undertake the task at the command of Perdiccas. Having
been summoned to the royal presence to stand his trial for disobedience, Antigonus fled to Europe
and entered into alliance with Antipater, Craterus and Ptolemy, the son of Lagus. Perdiccas, leaving
the war in Asia Minor to Eumenes, marched to attack Ptolemy in Egypt. He reached Pelusium, but
failed to cross the Nile. A mutiny broke out amongst the troops, disheartened by failure and
exasperated by his severity, and Perdiccas was assassinated by some of his officers (321
B.
C.).
— Adapted from the 1911 Encylopaedia Britannica.
Key events during the life of perdiccas:
Year |
Event |
335 BC |
General during the siege of Thebes. |
327 BC |
Accompanied Alexander on the Campaign to India. |
323 BC |
Made regent of Alexander's empire after his death. |
321 BC |
Murdered by his own troops during a campaign to Egypt. |
Other Resources
Contemporary |
Short Biography |
alexander1 |
|
Ptolemy I |
General of Alexander, founded Egyptian Dynasty that lasted for 300 years. |
antigonus |
|
Eumenes |
Enemy of Antigonus, allied with Perdiccas; controlled Asia Minor until killed by Antigonus. |