Diadochi

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The Diadochi was a group of generals who fought for Alexander the Great. When Alexander died, he left no heir, so the generals became Alexander’s successors. The word Diadochi means “successors.” The generals waged wars against each other to decide who would control their conquered territory under Alexander. Eventually, each general who survived the wars had their states and territories. The borders of the territories they controlled changed as they conquered land from each other.

The Diadochi began the Hellenistic Period, spreading Greek philosophy, religion, art, and culture to the lands they controlled. It is the reason the New Testament was written in Greek. Each of the Diadochi had a dynasty to which they left their kingdoms. Eventually, the Romans took control of much of these lands, including Greece. The final battle with the last heir of the Diadochi was the Battle of Actium, when Caesar Augustus’s navy defeated Cleopatra’s navy. Cleopatra was the last heir of Ptolemy I Soter.

Seleucus I Nicator

Seleucus I Nicator, or “Seleucus the Victorius” (lived 358—281 BC, reigned 305—281 BC), initially took control of the Mesopotamian regions of Babylonia and Syria in 321 BC. He went on to conquer Near Eastern territories that are today’s Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, and Lebanon. At his empire’s height, it also included Anatolia, Persia, the Levant, and today’s now Kuwait and Afghanistan.

Antigonus I Monophthalmus

Or Antigonus the one-eyed (382–301 BC, reigned 306–301 BC) initially received Pamphylia and Lycia on the south Mediterranean coast of Asia Minor (today’s Türkiye). At one point during the wars of the Diadochi, he was the most powerful, controlling Greece, Asia Minor, Syria, Phoenicia, and northern Mesopotamia. He died at the Battle of Ipsus in 301 BC while fighting the allied forces of Seleucus and Lysimachus.

Cassander

Cassander (lived 355—297 BC, reigned 305—297 BC) ruled Macedonia from 317 BC until 297 BC. He seized power by murdering Alexander the Great’s son and heir, Alexander IV.

Ptolemy I Soter

Ptolemy the Savior (lived 367—282 BC, reigned 51—30 BC) took control of Egypt after Alexander the Great’s death and became Pharaoh. His descendants in the Ptolemaic dynasty ruled Egypt until 30 BC. Ptolomy established Egypt as a bastion of Hellenistic (Greek) civilization and Alexandria a great seat of Greek culture. The final heir of Ptolemy’s dynasty was Cleopatra.

Synonyms:
seleucus, antigonus, cassander, ptolomy
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Alternative Meanings:
  • Diadochi

    Meaning "successors," a group of Greek generals who were the successors of Alexander the Great. After Alexander's death, the Diadochi established new cities, often naming them after themselves, and spread Greek culture throughout the ancient world. The Diadochi quickly became rivals and fought each other for control over territory. Their bringing of Greek culture, language, and religion to the countries they controlled was called Hellenization, and the period in which it happened is called the Hellenistic Period.

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