Part 1
Having effectively out lasted Eumenes, in the Second War of the Diadochi, Antigonus was by early 316 without a doubt Lord of Asia, having finally managed to turn Eumenes’ army against him. Executing Eumenes and others who he felt were a potential challenge to his hegemony, Antigonus, secure in the far east, now looked westward towards the Greco-Macedonian homelands to secure his influence there. Back in Macedon, with victory over Olympias and her allies, Cassander ruled supreme in Macedon and was the dominant force in the European region of Alexander’s empire. Along with military force he also maintained control of the powerless child King of the Empire Alexander IV, and his Bactrian mother Roxane in the citadel of Amphipolis. Although his relationship with them was closer to prison warden than host. To balance out his public relations, having imprisoned the King, killed Alexander’s mother Olympias, and his half-brother Phillip III, Cassander married a daughter of Phillip II and Half-Sister of Alexander, Thessalonice. This positioned him through marriage as the uncle of the King, and a member of the Argead house that was rapidly running out of members. To the south Polyperchon and his son Alexander were still active, and it was in that direction that Cassander looked to extend and secure his area of influence and control. The other of the leading Diadochi at this point was Ptolemy in Egypt. He had managed to stay clear of much of the fighting and had used his time to extend his realm and alliance structure. To the west he had extended to Cyrene in modern Libya, to the north he had secured holdings into Syria as far north as the ancient trading hub of Tyre, while throughout the Eastern Mediterranean he had used his Navy, which was made up of the Phoenician fleet commandeered away from Eumenes during the second war. This fleet was the strongest of the Diadochi at this time and Ptolemy used his Naval advantage to secure alliances including Cyprus and many of the Islands in the Aegean.
Part 2
Following the Second War of the Diadochi, Antigonus emerged as the dominant force in Asia of Alexander the Great's successors, while Cassander solidified his rule in Macedon. Amid shifting allegiances, a coalition formed against Antigonus, comprising Cassander, Lysimachus, and Ptolemy. Antigonus, facing demands to yield, prepared for battle, negotiated alliances, built a fleet, and reinforced his position in Syria. Cassander secured alliances in Acarnania and the western coast, including Leucas and Apollonia, before returning to Macedon. He then dispatched an army to aid Asander in Caria against Ptolemaeus, but Ptolemaeus ambushed and defeated them. Meanwhile, Antigonus, after capturing Tyre, turned his focus to Asia Minor and Europe, leaving Demetrius in Syria. In 313 BC, Lysimachus defeated Pausanias in a surprise attack, executing him and absorbing his troops. Antigonus sent Telesphorus to the Peloponnese, where he successfully freed cities from Cassandrian rule. Meanwhile, Cassander faced challenges from Epirus and Aetolia, ultimately defeating them and securing his position in Macedon.
Part 3
The Year 312 BCE was a busy one, Antigonus’s manoeuvres in Greece and Macedon, coupled with Ptolemaeus’ successes in central Greece, weakened Cassander’s position. While Antigonus failed to take Macedon, his strategy distracted Cassander, allowing Ptolemaeus to liberate Greek cities and expand Antigonid influence. Meanwhile in the south, Ptolemy, supressed the revolt in Cyrene continued to maintain his naval dominance of the Eastern Mediterranean seaboard moving as will against Antigonid Cities in the region, while also reconfirming his control of Cyprus. Ptolemy, also took the opportunity to expand his territorial claims out of Egypt while Antigonus was elsewhere, successfully taking on the Young Demetrius in the Battle of Gaza. The ensuing battle, characterised by intense cavalry charges and the deployment of elephants, saw both sides suffer heavy casualties. Despite the cost, Ptolemy’s force shown up Demetrius at Gaza, and decimated his army, leaving Ptolemy as the dominant force in the region.
Part 4
In 311 BCE, Seleucus, with Ptolemy’s support, returned to Babylon with a small force. Despite being outnumbered, he successfully reclaimed his satrapy through a combination of military prowess, strategic manoeuvres, and the support of the local population. Meanwhile, Ptolemy, after defeating Demetrius at Gaza, continued his campaign in Syria, dispatching Cilles to confront Demetrius in Upper Syria. After Demetrius’ surprise victory over Cilles, Antigonus joined him in Syria, prompting Ptolemy to retreat to Egypt. Antigonus then turned his attention to the Nabateans, sending Athenaeus to capture their cattle. Athenaeus’ attack on Petra was successful, but his subsequent camp was ambushed by the Nabateans, resulting in heavy casualties. Antigonus, acknowledging the Nabateans’ self-defence, sent Demetrius to attack again, but the Nabateans, forewarned, fortified Petra and repelled Demetrius’ assault. Demetrius, sent by Antigonus to conquer Babylon, found the city abandoned and besieged the remaining loyalists. After a brief siege, he left Archelaüs to continue the assault and returned to Antigonus. Meanwhile, Antigonus, facing mounting losses, negotiated the Peace of the Dynasts with Ptolemy, Cassander, and Lysimachus, solidifying his control over Asia while excluding Seleucus. After years of conflict, the Diadochi, except for Seleucus and Antigonus, avoided widespread fighting until 307. The next episode will cover the Babylonian War between Antigonus and Seleucus.
Sources:
Ancient Sources:
Appian, The Syrian Wars
Diodorus, Library of History
Justin, Epitome
Plutarch, Demetrius
Modern Sources:
Edward Anson, Alexander's Heirs : The Age of the Successors, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2014.
Andrew Erskine, Companion to the Hellenistic World, edited by Andrew Erskine, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2003.
Alexander Meeus, ‘DIODORUS AND THE CHRONOLOGY OF THE THIRD DIADOCH WAR.’ Phoenix, vol. 66, no. 1/2, 2012, pp. 74–96.
Victor Parker, A History of Greece, 1300 to 30 BC : 1300 to 30 BC, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2014.
Joseph Pietrykowski, Great Battles of the Hellenistic World, Pen & Sword Books Limited, 2009.
Robin Waterfield, Dividing the Spoils : The War for Alexander the Great's Empire, Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 2011.