Polyperchon and Olympias

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ruthaki
Strategos (general)
Posts: 1229
Joined: Sat Jul 13, 2002 5:31 pm
Location: Vancouver B.C. Canada

Polyperchon and Olympias

Post by ruthaki »

I have a question for pothos members. Before he went off to battle Kassandros in Attica, did Polyperchon accompany Roxana and Alexander IV to Epiros where he intended to leave them under the supervision of Olympias, or did he send them with another escort? I have found conflicting info but like to get my facts reasonably straight in my novel. Thanks in advance for your comments.
abm
Pezhetairos (foot soldier)
Posts: 248
Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2004 2:38 pm

Alexander IV and Rhoxane in Epeiros?

Post by abm »

It comes as no surprise that you have found conflicting information on this matter, since it is debated whether Polyperchon actually sent Alexander IV and Rhoxane to Epeiros in the first place. I do not know which view finds most support in the sources and for the moment I have no time to engage with this question in detail, but I might do so in a few weeks. At present I would say at least that if he did send them to Epeiros, the possibility that he escorted them himself seems to be ruled out by Diodoros XVIII 68.2:
Polyperchon happened to be in Phocis with the kings. After he heard of Kassandros' putting ashore in the Peiraieus, he arrived in Attika and camped near the Peiraieus.
Although we should always take into account that a lot can be lost through Diodoros' abbreviation of his sources, this does seem to indicate that Polyperchon moved directly from Phocis to Athens and this is, in my opinion, what the strategic situation would require. He might have sent the kings away, of course, but I have to check the evidence for this; I don't know how strong it is.

regards,
abm
ruthaki
Strategos (general)
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Joined: Sat Jul 13, 2002 5:31 pm
Location: Vancouver B.C. Canada

Polyperchon sends Roxana and Alexander IV to Epiros

Post by ruthaki »

From what I've read, it seems he had Philip Arridaios with him but sent Roxana and the child away for safekeeping. I've decided to go with the idea that he had appointed them another escort unless there is actual evidence that he went with them himself. as you say, the time frames of him going to Attika don't agree with how much time it would have taken him to go off course over the mountains to Epiros and back (even today by bus it takes a number of hours to do so. Pretty rough territory to travel by foot and/or horseback. I've been on that route a number of times myself.)
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