An autocratic general
who, at age 65, became regent of Macedonia & commander of
all Macedonian forces in Europe during Alexander's
Asiatic campaigns (334 - 323 BCE).
A top aide of Philip
II, Antipater orchestrated the army's proclamation of
Alexander as king soon after Philip's assassination (336 BCE
). Alexander immediately rewarded him by putting him in charge of
domestic affairs as he focused his attention on his campaign
against Persia. Thus Antipater was the de facto ruler of
the homeland of Alexander's empire (Macedonia & Greece) for
most of the conqueror's reign. He repeatedly demonstrated
his loyalty by sending Alexander reinforcements, thwarting a
Persian assault upon Greece, and putting down rebellions by
Sparta & Athens.
But success as a
soldier earned him powerful enemies. Long accustomed to
efficient command, he had little experience with or patience for
diplomacy or democracy. In dealing with the Corinthian
league of Greek city states he favored tyrants & oligarchs,
angering the leaders of many of Alexander's Hellenic allies.
Moreover, Alexander's mother, Olympias, resenting Antipater's
consolidation of power, fed her son a steady stream of
rumors designed to undermine his trust in his regent. To make
matters worse, when Antipater was finally summoned to Babylon, he
countermanded Alexander's order by sending his son Cassander
instead.
When Alexander died
(323 BCE), Antipater retained his position
as de facto governor
of Macedonia. But in his absence, Perdiccas
was chosen as regent for Alexander's royal heirs (his pregnant
wife Roxana & his illegitimate half-brother Philip). When
Perdiccas broke his engagement to Antipater's daughter & began issuing royal decrees in Philip's name, however,
Antipater joined an alliance with Antigonus
& Ptolemy
to depose him. But before they could act Perdiccas was murdered
by his own officers (320 BCE) &
one of the murderers claimed
the role of royal regent. To prevent further chaos a conference
of all leading Macedonian generals was convened at Triparadisus,
Syria (319 BCE) which formalized
the partitioning of Alexander's
empire. Antipater was confirmed as governor of the Hellenic
homeland & finally made regent for Alexander's heirs. But
the octogenarian had little time to exercise this role, since he died within
months.
References: Justin,
Epitome
13.2, 4-6, 8.
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