Diadochi

The Diadochi when used in English speaking history, is nearly exclusively used to refer to the men who vied for rulership of Alexander the Great's Empire upon his death in 323 B.C.

Etymology

The word Diadochi is the plural form of the Latin word "Diadochus", which comes from the Greek Διάδοχοι (diadokhoi), which translates into English as "successors". Hence we commonly speak of the Wars of the Successors / Wars of the Diadochi.

The Diadochi

While at the fullest extent one could count a great many individuals, historians generally consider these individuals to be:

• Perdiccas - The First Regent of the Macedonian Empire.
• Antipater - Regent in Greece and Macedonia while Alexander was away on his military campaigns, succeeded Perdiccas as Regent of the entire Empire later on.
• Eumenes - Secretary of Alexander, later Satrap of Cappodocia and Paphlagonia.
• Ptolemy I - General and Bodyguard, later Satrap of Egypt and eventually King of Egypt.
• Lysimachus - General and Bodyguard, later Satrap of Thrace and eventually King of Thrace.
• Seleucus - Commander of The Companion (the elite cavalry unit), later Satrap of Babylonia and eventually King of the Seleucid Empire.
• Craterus - Infantry division commander, and son in law of Antipater.
• Polysperchon - Infantry division commander, became Regent of Alexander's Empire after Antiater died.
• Antigonus - Infantry division commander, later Satrap of Phrygia and eventually King of Asia Minor and Syria.
• Cassander - Son of Antipater, became Regent of Alexander's Empire after Polyperchon was removed from the Regency and later King of Macedonia.
• Demetrius - Son of Antigonus who served as one of his generals and later co-King after the Battle of Salamis, 306 BC.

For their many wars against each other for control, see Wars of the Diadochi