Antigonus the One-Eyed : Greatest of the Successors

Plutarch described Antigonus the One Eyed (382-301 BC) as 'the oldest and greatest of Alexander's successors,' Antigonus loyally served both Philip II and Alexander the Great as they converted his native Macedonia into an empire stretching from India to Greece. After Alexander's death, Antigonus, then governor of the obscure province of Phrygia, seemed one of the least likely of his commanders to seize the dead king's inheritance. Yet within eight years of the king's passing, through a combination of military skill and political shrewdness, he had conquered the Asian portion of the empire. His success caused those who controlled the European and Egyptian parts of the empire to unite against him. For another fourteen years he would wage war against a coalition of the other Successors, Ptolemy, Lysimachus, Seleucus and Cassander. In 301 he would meet defeat and death in the Battle of Ipsus. The ancient writers saw Antigonus' life as a cautionary tale about the dangers of hubris and vaulting ambition. Despite his apparent defeat, his descendants would continue to rule as kings and create a dynasty that would rule Macedonia for over a century. Jeff Champion narrates the career of this titanic figure with the focus squarely on the military aspects. The author of Pyrrhus of Epirus “tells the exciting story of one of those competing to succeed Alexander the Great . . . Recommended.” —Firetrench Plutarch described Antigonus the One Eyed (382-301 BC) as “the oldest and greatest of Alexander’s successors.” Antigonus loyally served both Philip II and Alexander the Great as they converted his native Macedonia into an empire stretching from India to Greece. After Alexander’s death, Antigonus, then governor of the obscure province of Phrygia, seemed one of the least likely of his commanders to seize the dead king’s inheritance. Yet within eight years of the king’s passing, through a combination of military skill and political shrewdness, he had conquered the Asian portion of the empire. Antigonus’ success caused those who controlled the European and Egyptian parts of the empire to unite against him. For another fourteen years he would wage war against a coalition of the other Successors, Ptolemy, Lysimachus, Seleucus and Cassander. In 301 he would meet defeat and death in the Battle of Ipsus. The ancient writers saw Antigonus’ life as a cautionary tale about the dangers of hubris and vaulting ambition. Despite his apparent defeat, his descendants would continue to rule as kings and create a dynasty that would rule Macedonia for over a century. Jeff Champion narrates the career of this titanic figure with the focus squarely on the military aspects. “It is far time that we have a biography of one of the greatest men of Hellenistic society . . . His rise from this backwater to almost becoming the king of the entire Macedonian empire is detailed by the author.”—A Wargamers Needful Things. The author of Pyrrhus of Epirus “tells the exciting story of one of those competing to succeed Alexander the Great . . . Recommended.” —Firetrench Plutarch described Antigonus the One Eyed (382-301 BC) as “the oldest and greatest of Alexander’s successors.” Antigonus loyally served both Philip II and Alexander the Great as they converted his native Macedonia into an empire stretching from India to Greece. After Alexander’s death, Antigonus, then governor of the obscure province of Phrygia, seemed one of the least likely of his commanders to seize the dead king’s inheritance. Yet within eight years of the king’s passing, through a combination of military skill and political shrewdness, he had conquered the Asian portion of the empire. Antigonus’ success caused those who controlled the European and Egyptian parts of the empire to unite against him. For another fourteen years he would wage war against a coalition of the other Successors, Ptolemy, Lysimachus, Seleucus and Cassander. In 301 he would meet defeat and death in the Battle of Ipsus. The ancient writers saw Antigonus’ life as a cautionary tale about the dangers of hubris and vaulting ambition. Despite his apparent defeat, his descendants would continue to rule as kings and create a dynasty that would rule Macedonia for over a century. Jeff Champion narrates the career of this titanic figure with the focus squarely on the military aspects. “It is far time that we have a biography of one of the greatest men of Hellenistic society . . . His rise from this backwater to almost becoming the king of the entire Macedonian empire is detailed by the author.”— A Wargamers Needful Things . A clear narrative and analysis of Antigonus' role in those tumultuous events, with particular emphasis on the military aspects, while still being full of drama, sweeping campaigns an Antigonus' epic battles.Plutarch described Antigonus the One Eyed (382-301 BC) 'as 'the oldest and greatest of Alexander's successors.' Antigonus loyally served both Philip II and Alexander the Great as they converted his native Macedonia into an empire stretching from India to Greece.After Alexander's death, Antigonus, then governor of the obscure province of Phrygia, seemed one of the least likely of his commanders to seize the dead king's inheritance. Yet within eight years of the king's passing, through a combination of military skill and political shrewdness, he had conquered the Asian portion of the empire. His success caused those who controlled the European and Egyptian parts of the empire to unite against him. For another fourteen years he would wage war against a coalition of the other Successors: Ptolemy, Lysimachus, Seleucus and Cassander. In 301 BC he would meet defeat and death in the Battle of Ipsus. The ancient writers saw Antigonus' life as a cautionary tale about the dangers of hubris and vaulting ambition. Despite his apparent defeat, his descendants would continue to rule as kings and create a dynasty that would rule Macedonia for over a century. Jeff Champion narrates the career of this titanic figure with the focus squarely on the military aspects. [Elib] Preface Chapter 1. The Macedonian Homeland Chapter 2. Under Alexander Chapter 3. The Rise of Antigonus Chapter 4. The Destruction of the Perdiccans Chapter 5. The Outbreak of the Second Successor War Chapter 6. The March East Chapter 7. The Battle of Paraetaceni Chapter 8. The Battle of Gabene Chapter 9. The Causes of the Third Successor War Chapter 10. The Outbreak of the Third Successor War Chapter 11. The Third Successor War Continues (314–313) Chapter 12. The Battle of Gaza Chapter 13. The Peace of 311 and the End of the Third Successor War Chapter 14. Antigonus’ Campaign against Seleucus Chapter 15. The Liberation of Athens Chapter 16. The Conquest of Cyprus and the Kingship Chapter 17. The Invasion of Egypt Chapter 18. The Siege of Rhodes: The Naval Assault Chapter 19. The Siege of Rhodes: The Land Assault Chapter 20. The Liberation of Greece Chapter 21. The Battle of Ipsus Chapter 22. Conclusion and Epilogue Appendix 1. The Chronology of the Successors Appendix 2. The Literary Sources Appendix 3. Antigonus and the Argeads Appendix 4. The Cost of War Appendix 5. Antigonus’ Policy of 'Freedom' for the Greeks Notes Bibliography The wars of the diadochoi (Alexander's successors) are a very popular subject area and Antigonus was foremost among them until his death. Clear narrative and analysis of Antigonus' role in those tumultuous events, with particular emphasis on the military aspects.