Perdiccas

d. 321 BC

Fallen elephant
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


Story Links
Book Links
Deterioration of Character  in  Alexander the Great  by  Jacob Abbott
Division of the Realm  in  The Story of the Greeks  by  H. A. Guerber
Alexander the Great  in  The Story of the Greek People  by  Eva March Tappan


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.