Alexander's Legacy - To the Strongest

 No, this isn't another blog about my go-to set of ancient wargames rules. This is the opening book in a series by Robert Fabbri on the Wars of the Successors (Diadochi), my library pick for this month. The title is taken from a phrase reportedly uttered by Alexander the Great on his deathbed, signifying that his empire should go to the most capable, not to a designated heir. 

Most of us could probably name the best known of the Successors, Ptolemy, Seleucus and Antigonus One-Eye. However, these were not the only initial contenders, and it is this initial struggle that is covered by the book. The leading player in this book is Perdiccas (spelt Perdikkas in this book) – Alexander’s top general and regent (Fabbri calls him the half-chosen because he received Alexander's ring), initially ruling in the name of Philip III and Alexander IV. Philip III Arrhidaeus, Alexander’s half-brother, was mentally impaired and was made a figurehead king. Alexander IV was Alexander’s posthumous son with Roxana. He was too young to rule, leading to a regency.

Perdiccas' aim was to keep the empire together. However, most other generals had an eye (pun intended!) for creating their own kingdoms. In particular, Ptolemy took Egypt and founded the Ptolemaic Dynasty, which ruled until Cleopatra VII. He hijacked Alexander's coffin and defeated Perdiccas's attempt to recover it. Perdiccas was assassinated after the battle, probably by Seleucus, one of Perdiccas's commanders, who later took Babylon.

Antigonus controlled Asia Minor and also aimed to unify Alexander’s empire. He allied with Antipater, the aged but respected regent of Macedonia who initially controlled Europe. Other secondary characters include Eumenes, who was a Greek and, therefore, not a contender, but he was a wily operator (Fabbri calls him 'the sly'), along with Alexander's mother Olympias and his half-sister Ada.

This book ends with the assassination of Perdiccas, so the later battles are yet to come. Fabbri sticks fairly closely to the history, introducing just a few extra characters and, of course, the dialogue. Each chapter focuses on one of the characters while maintaining a chronological narrative. The chapters are short, which suits me perfectly as this is my bedtime reading. I enjoyed this treatment of a classic piece of ancient history and will probably read more in the series.

My Macedonian phalanx in 28mm