Alexander IV was the son of Alexander the Great and Roxane. Born after his father's death, he was named heir to the Macedonian Empire, but never actually reigned due to the power struggles that arose after the death of Alexander the Great.
Birth and historical context
Alexander IV was born in 323 BC. J.-C., a few months after the death of his father. His mother, Roxane, was pregnant at the time of Alexander the Great's death, which made Alexander IV the only direct heir to the empire. However, Alexander the Great's empire was vast and difficult to control, leading to a period of turmoil and conflict known as the “Wars of the Diadochi”.
The Wars of the Diadochi
The Wars of the Diadochi were a series of conflicts between the generals and companions of Alexander the Great, who sought to take control of different parts of the empire. Alexander IV, as the legitimate heir, was at the center of these power struggles. The Diadochi, such as Ptolemy, Seleucus, Cassander, and Lysimachus, vied for authority over the Macedonian Empire and used Alexander IV as a pawn in their political maneuvers.
Regency and guardianship
Due to his youth and his position as heir, Alexander IV was placed under the tutelage of different regents throughout his life. The first was Perdiccas, a general of Alexander the Great, who ruled in the name of Alexander IV after the death of his father. However, Perdiccas was assassinated in 320 BC. AD, and the guardianship of Alexander IV was entrusted to Polyperchon.
The Rise of Cassandra
Cassander, another Diadochus and son of Antipater, one of Alexander the Great's generals, seized power in Macedonia in 317 BC. AD He overthrew Polyperchon and secured the guardianship of Alexander IV and his mother, Roxane. Fearing that the presence of Alexander IV would threaten his power, Cassandra kept them under house arrest and kept the child away from politics.
The death of Alexander IV
In 309 BC. AD, Cassander finally decided to get rid of Alexander IV, who was then about 14 years old. Fearing that the young man would become a rival for the throne, Cassandra had him and his mother Roxane assassinated.
The death of Alexander IV marked the end of the Argead dynasty, the royal line of Alexander the Great, and paved the way for the establishment of the Diadochi dynasties in the territories of the former Macedonian Empire.
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