The Perdiccas Years, 323-320 BC by Hughes Tristan;

Author:Hughes, Tristan;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: HISTORY / Military / Ancient
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Limited
Published: 2022-03-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

The Aetolian War

Aetolian Allies

The Macedonians

Menon of Pharsalus

Antipater

Craterus

Polycles

Polyperchon

Phila

Antigonus

There had been little respite for Antipater since the subjugation of Athens the previous autumn. Demosthenes and Hypereides were dead; the Lamian War had ended. But several key political issues remained outstanding – none more so than Antipater’s desire to cement his family’s standing in this new post-Alexander world.

A powerful union

As soon as Athenian resistance crumbled Antipater had returned to Macedonia, intent on shoring up his position on the world stage. He intended to use his daughters as political pawns – to seal powerful marriage alliances between Antipater and other dominant figures in the empire. Antipater had sent one such daughter, Nicaea, to Perdiccas in the hope of forging a formidable union and securing his family’s influence at the heart of the new regime. Closer to home, however, he hoped to bind another dominant figure to his family.

Craterus, saviour of the Lamian War and a figure possessing ‘the pride of a king’, had returned to Macedonia with Antipater and the army.1 Archaic orders from Babylon, in the wake of Alexander the Great’s death, had instructed the general to assume joint rule of the European territories alongside Antipater. Yet Craterus never carried through this command. Rather than fulfil these orders upon his merging forces with Antipater in the face of Antiphilus’ Athenian army, Craterus defied them. The two titans reached an agreement. The returning hero withdrew any claim to co-rule Europe; Craterus acknowledged Antipater as superior. Nevertheless, gaining Craterus’ concession at this critical time had come at a price for Antipater. And now, with the Athenian crisis having abated, he sought to fulfil his end of the deal. Once again, Antipater’s offer centred around a marriage alliance. He was not at a loss for eligible daughters. For Craterus, however, there was one clear choice.2

Phila, one of Antipater’s eldest daughters, was well-acquainted with Craterus. Their paths had almost certainly crossed during Craterus’ prolonged stay in Cilicia. The widow of Balacrus, the region’s governor that had perished at Isaurian hands, she had returned to Macedonia with Craterus and his army. She was a remarkable woman, renowned for her virtue and sage advice. Phila may well have caught Craterus’ eye. It was something that Antipater was sure to utilise for political gain. Upon their return to Macedonia, the wedding took place in an elaborate ceremony: the most righteous woman of Macedon marrying ‘the paragon of military virtue’. It was a powerful union. Gifts and honours were lavished upon them, Craterus receiving excessive attention from his jubilant new father-in-law. Merry-making gripped the Macedonian soldiers as they were similarly showered with praise – the heroes of the Lamian War.3

For Antipater, he had good reason to be cheerful. The marriage and its celebrations abounded in benefits. Not only did it increase his standing among the soldiers, but it sealed the strongest bond between him and the legendary Craterus. Alexander the Great’s most renowned adjutant – the world’s most famous commander – was now his closest ally.4

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