When the dying Alexander the Great was asked to whom he bequeathed his
vast empire, he supposedly replied "to the strongest". There ensued a
long series of struggles between his generals and governors for control
of these territories. Most of these Diadochi (Successors) were
consummate professionals who had learned the art of war under Alexander
or even his father, Philip. Few died a peaceful death and the last
survivors of this tough breed were still leading their armies against
each other well into their seventies. Colorful characters, epic battles,
treachery and subterfuge make this a period with great appeal to anyone
interested in ancient history and ancient warfare in particular. The
wars shaped the map from the Balkans to India for the next couple of
centuries.
This first volume introduces the key personalities - characters such as
Antigonos "Monopthalmus" (the One-eyed) and his son 'Demetrius
'Poliorcetes' (the Besieger), Seleucus 'Nicator' ('the Victorious') and
Ptolemy "Soter" ("the Saviour") - and gives a narrative of the causes
and course of these wars from the death of Alexander to the Battle of
Corupedium (281 BC) when the last two original Diadochi faced each other
one final time.