Alexander the great - Essay Example

Although these three kingdoms often fought each other, still the Hellenistic period was one of prosperity and learning. A great university was founded at Alexandria, Egypt. The philosopher Aristotle lived in Athens. Scientists and philosophers traveled back and forth between India and Greece. The combination of the knowledge of West Asia, India, and Greece led to great achievements in science, philosophy, and art. Despite all of the achievements the decline of these Hellenistic kingdoms began from the beginning, due to the in fighting and wars between the kingdoms.

When Perdiccas married Alexanders sister Cleopatra, Anipater, Craterus, Antigonus, and Ptolemy rebelled. Ptolomy stole Alexanders body, thus beginning a war between the kingdoms. Eumenes defeated the rebels in Asia Minor, in a battle where Craterus was killed. However, Perdiccas himself was murdered by his own generals Peithon, Seleucus, and Antigenes during an invasion of Egypt. Ptolemy negotiated with Perdiccas killers, choosing Peithon and Arrhidaeus as regents in his place. Soon the Treaty of Triparadisus created a peace between Ptolemy and Antipater.

Thus Ptolemy and Antipater became rulers. This ended the first war of the Diadochi. The Second War of the Diadochi was in 318-315 B.C. This war broke out following the death of Antipater in 319 B.C. Antipater declared Polyperchon successor over his son, Cassander. This led to a war between Polyperchon and Cassader. Polyperchon allied himself to Eumenes in Asia, but was driven from Macedonia by Cassander, and fled to Epirus with the infant king Alexander IV and his mother Roxane. Then with Alexanders mother, Olympias, they invaded Macedon again.

Soon Cassander captured and killed Olympias, gaining control of Macedon, Alexander IV and his mother. The Third War of Diadochi was during 314-311 B.C. Antigonus had grown too powerful. Ptolemy, Lysimachus, and Cassader decided to go to