Antipater and Olympias

[Yassar]

Dear friends,Sincere regards. I am currently in the process of reading Mr Chugg's book (which is thus far brilliant), and I have come across a fascinating anecdote that I have thus far not before encountered. The paragraph briefly mentions how Antipater protected Olympias, Roxanne and Alexander IV in the post Alexander the Great period. The protection could have been from Antipater's son Cassander (who is obviously a slime). Is there any strong evidence for this in ancient or modern accounts that can be reliably corroborated?Thanks,Yassar

[marcus]

I haven't reached that far in the book myself, as I had to get a few other books out of the way before I continued ... but certainly I'm sure that Andrew wouldn't have included anything that *couldn't* be corroborated.Does he not give any references for that anecdote? If not, he does visit this forum (from time to time at least), so I'm sure if he sees this he'll help you out.All the bestMarcus

[abm]

I haven't read ChuggGÇÖs book yet, but he might be referring to what happened after Triparadeisos, when Antipater was about to leave for Europe, while the kings were staying in Asia with Antigonos. Just before Antipater's return, Cassander, who had been appointed chiliarch to Antigonos, came to see his father and warned him about Antigonos. We don't know why he had to warn him, but it made Antipater decide to take the kings with him to Europe. (see Diodorus XVIII 39-40)I do not see, however, how Olympias can have been involved in any such event. She was staying in Epirus (from about 330 I think, but IGÇÖm not sure on the exact details) and only returned to Macedon in 317, when Antipater was already dead for two years.

[ruthaki]

I was going to give the same reply as Alexander, though I didn't know the part about Cassandros warning his father about Antigonos (which seems strange, as later in time he tried to enlist Antigonos support in ousting Polyperchon.) Olympias refused to come back to Pella right away in 319 and Polyperchon later sent Roxana and Alexander IV to Epiros. Olympias returned to Pella in 317 with them.

[ruthaki]

I was going to give the same reply as Alexander, though I didn't know the part about Cassandros warning his father about Antigonos (which seems strange, as later in time he tried to enlist Antigonos support in ousting Polyperchon.) Olympias refused to come back to Pella right away in 319 and Polyperchon later sent Roxana and Alexander IV to Epiros. Olympias returned to Pella in 317 with them.

[Taphoi]

Hi Yassar,Glad you're enjoying my book. I don't think I say quite what you mention here, but I'd need the page number you are referring to in my book to respond properly. There are some key events of the late 4th century BC told in summary on page 50, which you might mean. You are right that Cassander was murderous and manipulative. He doesn't seem to have been completely trusted by his father, Antipater, who preferred to appoint Polyperchon to succeed him as regent. It may be that Antipater was concerned that Alexander IV would not be safe in Cassander's hands, since he later murdered him, but we do not of course know his exact motives. On Cassander's extirpation of Alexander's relatives see especially Pausanius 9.7.2. Best wishes, Andrew

[lucian]

Who was Cassander married to? wasn't it one of Alexander's sisters?

[xxx]

He was married to Thessalonike, a daughter of Philip who was raised by Olympias (it is assumed her mother died). Cassander married her to attempt to justify a claim for Kingship by making himself sort of an Argead, although techically he was not, nor were his children since inheritance of the Kingship came through the male line. Ptolemy did similar by claiming to be Alexander's half-brother and a son of Philip. Perdikkas failed in his attempt to do same with Cleopatra. Cassander had to eliminate Olympias to marry Thessalonike and by this move, he became Uncle to Alexander IV and legally in control of the boy.Regards,Tre

[abm]

I was quoting by heart yesterday, and apparently the reference to Diodorus only gives the general context; the events I described are to be found in ArrianGÇÖs Successor History, fragment 11.43-44 in FGrHist (which is fragment 1.42-44 in the Teubner edition of Roos and Wirth) = Photius, Bibl. 92 [72b]. The only English translation is by Goralski in Ancient World of 1989 and one should be carefull, because there is exactly at this point a mistake in the translation: the Greek text says GÇ£anapeithei m+¿te porr+¦ t+¦n basile+¦n apoch+¦reinGÇ¥, which is translated by Goralski (p. 100) as GÇ£persuaded him not ever to part with the kingsGÇ¥. This should evidently be GÇ£without the kingsGÇ¥, as it literally says "he persuaded not to go far away from the kingsGÇ¥. Probably itGÇÖs just a typographic error because from his comment to 44 (p. 101) it is clear that he knows what Arrian said.
On Cassander I would like the refer to the on-going discussion GÇ£Cassander as regentGÇ¥ on this forum

[Yassar]

Dear friends,Thankyou for the information. It will be interesting to research the ancient accounts for clues with regards to the relationship between Antipater and Cassander. Cassander himself is a fascinating character: indeed his cruelty finished off Alexander's lineage.Thankyou for the referencesYassar