Perdiccas

Perdiccas (Greek: Περδίκκας) was the name of several Macedonian kings and generals. The most prominent was a general under Alexander the Great.

Perdiccas (General under Alexander the Great)

Perdiccas (c. 365 – 321 BC) was a Macedonian general who served under Alexander the Great and became regent of Alexander's empire after his death. He was a member of the Oreste clan, a noble family in Upper Macedonia.

Following Alexander's death in 323 BC, Perdiccas initially served as chiliarch, the commander of the Companion cavalry, and was given custody of Alexander's body. He played a crucial role in the negotiations that followed, where the generals debated the succession. Ultimately, a compromise was reached whereby Alexander's half-brother, Philip III Arrhidaeus, and Alexander's unborn son (Alexander IV) were jointly declared kings. Perdiccas was appointed regent (epitropos) of both kings, effectively making him the most powerful man in the empire.

Perdiccas's regency was fraught with challenges. He faced rivalries with other powerful generals, including Ptolemy, Antipater, Craterus, and Antigonus. His attempts to consolidate his power and maintain the unity of the empire led to conflicts known as the Wars of the Diadochi ("Successors"). He planned a marriage with Alexander the Great's sister, Cleopatra, further provoking the ambitions of his rivals, especially Antipater and Antigonus, who feared Perdiccas aimed to supplant the kings.

In 321 BC, Perdiccas led an expedition to Egypt against Ptolemy, who had seized Alexander's body and was consolidating his own power. The campaign was a disaster, marked by logistical failures and heavy losses in crossing the Nile River. While attempting to quell a mutiny among his own troops, Perdiccas was assassinated by a group of officers, including Python, Seleucus, and Antigenes. His death led to a power vacuum and further escalated the conflicts among the Diadochi, ultimately leading to the fragmentation of Alexander's empire.

Other Notable Individuals Named Perdiccas

• Perdiccas I of Macedon: The semi-legendary founder of the Argead dynasty, which ruled Macedon. Accounts of his life are mixed with mythical elements.
• Perdiccas II of Macedon: King of Macedon during the Peloponnesian War. He frequently shifted his alliances between Athens and Sparta to protect his kingdom's interests.
• Perdiccas III of Macedon: King of Macedon in the 4th century BC, he was killed in battle against the Illyrians.