HISTORY 1M03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Argead Dynasty, Hellenistic Armies, Greco-Persian Wars

• School: McMaster University
• Department: History
• Course: HISTORY 1M03
• Professor: kyle Mcleister

Document Summary

For modern historians, the death of alexander represents the end of the classical period in. Greek history and the beginning of the hellenistic period, which lasted until 30 bce. The shape of the world after alexander would be decided by a struggle for power among his generals. When alexander died, roxana was pregnant with his child, and otherwise the only heir was his mentally-disabled half-brother, arrhidaeus. The child then turned out to be a boy. Arrhidaeus, who now assumed the throne name philip iii, and alexander"s son, alexander iv, were proclaimed joint kings. But of course neither was capable of ruling. Real power was exercised by alexander"s generals who ruled the various parts of the empire in the name of the kings. And very soon, they were at one another"s throats. What followed was decades of warfare between these successors to alexander, with alliances forming and dissolving, duplicitous intrigues, assassinations, and battles.