Meleager (general)

Meleager was a Macedonian general who served under Alexander the Great and later played a prominent role in the Wars of the Diadochi, the succession struggles following Alexander's death in 323 BC.

Early Career: Details of Meleager's early life are scarce. He likely held a position of some authority within the Macedonian army during Alexander's eastern campaigns, but his specific roles before Alexander's death are not extensively documented.

The Wars of the Diadochi: Following Alexander's death, the Macedonian army in Babylon was thrown into turmoil. A dispute arose between the infantry, who favored the selection of Alexander's half-brother, Philip III Arrhidaeus, as the new king, and the cavalry, who supported the claims of Alexander's unborn child by Roxana. Meleager emerged as a prominent leader of the infantry faction.

He initially resisted the demands of Perdiccas, Alexander's appointed regent, and the cavalry. He even attempted to assert his own authority. This period was marked by considerable tension and nearly escalated into open warfare within Babylon. Eventually, a compromise was reached: Philip III Arrhidaeus and Alexander IV (the posthumous son of Alexander and Roxana) were jointly proclaimed kings.

Meleager was appointed as Philip III's guardian and, effectively, co-regent alongside Perdiccas. However, this arrangement proved short-lived. Perdiccas, seeking to consolidate his power, orchestrated Meleager's assassination shortly after the compromise was reached. Perdiccas, after a period of superficial reconciliation with the infantry, held a military review where Meleager and other leading dissenters were ambushed and killed. This act eliminated a key rival and allowed Perdiccas to solidify his control over the regency.

Significance: Meleager's brief but crucial role in the immediate aftermath of Alexander's death highlights the chaotic and volatile nature of the succession crisis. His leadership of the infantry faction demonstrated the divisions within the Macedonian army and the struggles for power that ensued. His assassination underscores the ruthless tactics employed by the Diadochi as they vied for control of Alexander's vast empire.