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 & governors for control of these territories. Most of these Diadochi (Successors) were consummate professionals who had learnt the art of war under Alexander or even his father Philip. Few died a peaceful death & the last survivors of this tough breed were still leading their armies against each other well into their seventies. Colourful characters epic battles treacheryand subterfuge make this a period with great appeal to anyone interested in ancient history & 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) & his son ' Demetrius ' Poliorcetes' (the Besieger) Seleucus ' Nicator' ('the Victorious') & Ptolemy ' Soter' ('the Saviour')
- & gives a narrative of the causes & 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.