Funeral Games (novel)

Funeral Games is a historical novel by Mary Renault, published in 1981, posthumously. It focuses on the tumultuous period following the death of Alexander the Great. The novel covers the power struggles between Alexander's generals (the Diadochi) as they vie for control of his vast empire and the attempts to secure the succession through Alexander's surviving family.

Key events depicted in the novel include:

• The aftermath of Alexander's death and the immediate scramble for power.
• The role of Roxane, Alexander's Bactrian wife, and their young son, Alexander IV.
• The manipulations and betrayals among the Diadochi, including Perdiccas, Ptolemy, Antigonus, and others.
• The story of Alexander's half-brother, Philip Arrhidaeus, a mentally disabled man who is briefly made king.
• The eventual murder of Roxane and Alexander IV, effectively ending the Argead dynasty.

The novel is known for its meticulously researched historical detail and its character-driven narrative that explores the personalities and motivations of the key players in this period of ancient history. Renault's portrayal aims to present a realistic depiction of the political intrigue, violence, and cultural clashes that characterized the Hellenistic era.