Kassandros' age

[Max]

Hello all,Does anyone know Kassandros' (Antipatros'
son) birthdate/year or age relative to that of
Alexander?Based on Antipatros' age and Kassandros
being referred to as his eldest son, I've always
assumed that he was older than Alexander,
though not by much. However, I read
somewhere that, in fact, Kassandros may have
been Antipatros' oldest LIVING son.Any information would be greatly appreciated!!Thanks,
Max

[ruthaki]

I have in my research notes that at the time of Antipater's death (319) Kassandros was 43. But the geneology chart says he was born in 355 which means he'd be 36. There may be conflicting estimates but he was a few years older than Alexander.

[Tre]

We actually do not know when Kassandros was born. Most historians speculate he was younger than Alexander.

[marcus]

I have to say that I've always assumed he was younger than Alexander. That was probably because most books I've read say that he was. Perhaps I was also influenced by the fact that he stayed in Macedonia - although that doesn't really say anything about his age.All the bestMarcus

[Tre]

More likely he was not invited to come :-)Regards,Tre

[Max]

Thanks for your replies!I found something in Heckel's "The Marshals of
Alexander's Empire" (pg. 39) that was useful
(except that my latin sucks!). Here it goes: "About Kassandros' age we cannot be certain,
though he was clearly the oldest surviving son:
Hegesandros (ap. Athen. 1.18a) shows that
Antipatros was still alive when Kassandros was
thirty-five, establishing 354 as the terminus ante
quem for the son's birth."If I understand correctly, that means that:319 year that Antipatros died35 is the YOUNGEST that Kassandros could
have been that yearso 354 is the latest date for his birthSo, if all this is correct (including the sources),
then Kassandros was at most 2 years younger
than Alexander but possibly older.Whaddaya think guys? Sound correct?Max, who is lacking in latin skills

[ruthaki]

I'd say that guess is as good as any. I've always understood most of ATG's Companions were a bit older than him. I also have many research notes that say he was not invited to come on campaign because of the bad feelings that had always been between him and ATG from their youth and that was one of K's big resentments. He was left home while the other got the glory.

[marcus]

Well, yes :-)Interesting, though - if Alexander didn't really get on well with Kassandros (and, of course, we don't know the true depth of their enmity), why did he allow him to stay in Macedonia where he could cause trouble? Y'know, "keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer" sort of thing.It might be that Kassandros was fundamentally loyal, even if he and Al didn't like each other very much; or perhaps Al knew that Antipater could keep him under control. Obviously, Kass didn't do anything naughty (that we know of) while Al was alive... but Al wasn't to know that.All the bestMarcus

[ruthaki]

Kassandros stayed behind probably so he could be 'supervised' by and help out his father.

[susan]

The fact that Antipater left the regency to Polyperchon instead of Kassandros probably indicates what he thought of him - particularly as Polyperchon couldn't have been regarded as particularly effective.RegardsSusan

[Tre]

Absolutely Antipater could keep under control - until he died anyway. Note he had no intention of leaving the empire to his son.Also, Antipater had other sons with Alexander at the time. Why bring trouble, or for that matter maybe Antipater thought it would be better to keep him out of Alexander's scrutiny. It appears he had the ability to behave like an idiot in the King's presence which could get you in a while lotta trouble quickly.Regards,Tre

[kuringlas]

Dont know much about Kassandros...
But if Alexandros already took 1 or many of Antipater's sons with him well why take them all. I think it was a simple question of leave some/one of your most loyal general's sons behind. Note the story of the 300 spartans. Only spartans that had a brother where selected for the task.
So what i am trying to say is, Why risk losing an entire family? Leave some of your most loyal general's sons at home (with him), and take some/one with you on your journey. Reading into why, that particular son wasnt taken might have to do with, issues like, was he the oldest of all the sons, competency, etc. But to me it seens simple dont take away a mans entire family. Note, if my General where to join me then i would take all his sons with me(like another of Alexandros Generals).

[marcus]

I was just about to make the point about Parmenion... and then I read the end of your post.:-)Marcus