The Death of Alexander and the Power Vacuum

The sudden death of Alexander the Great created a significant power vacuum within his empire, leading to immediate struggles among his generals, known as the Diadochi. With two main claimants to the throne, the mentally challenged half-brother Philip Aridaeus and Alexander’s unborn child, the initial agreement was for Philip to be crowned king while Perdiccas ruled as regent. However, this arrangement quickly unraveled as tensions and ambitions mounted among the generals, ultimately resulting in violent conflicts for control. The Partition of Babylon, which aimed to divide the empire among the Diadochi, lasted less than a year before infighting and rebellion destabilized the situation further.