The Diadochi Wars Summarized

This took far longer to make than what I would have thought. In any case, here's a summarized explanation of the events that succeeded the death of Alexander the Great.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

The fact that Alexander's secretary was out there winning battles implies the man was such a good general that those close to him just absorbed tactical skill by osmosis.

[dlugi]

Ptolemy is the most funny Diadochi. Dude basically chilled in Egypt for a whole time.

[dimactavicus]

Pyrrhus literally made a cameo here. He's the main antagonist of the show "Rome: Pyrrhic Wars" and appears as a cameo in "Ancient Greece: Diadochi"

All part of the Classical Antiquity Cinematic Universe.

[therocketprophet]

Watching all this Kings & Generals meticulous movement of armies and depictions of battles made the spinny character images a refreshing touch lmao. Great vid man I love this period and the Diadochi in general

[jamestrexler]

Every show should introduce new characters by pausing events and playing jaunty elevator music

[jettmclachlan]

Pretty much summed up by "Everyone thought they cared more about alexanders idea for the empire. They all were lying".

[Colbcolb]

All you have to do is look at Seleucus's statue to know he was a gigachad

[kaijudirector]

I have to agree, this is one of the most interesting eras of history. Most succession wars don't break out so soon after the fall of a great empire. Add to this everyone pretty much knew each other and all learned from Alexander.

[ozgurceltikci]

Ona side note, Spartokos III was chilling all along in Crimea, fighting Legians, Sirakenoi and Scythians every now & then...

[Pantsinabucket]

A correction is needed regarding the death of Seleucus. Ptolemy Keraunos was NOT ruling Makedonia, he had come to the court of Lysimachus as a refugee to join his sister Lysandra (who married Lysimachus son Agathocles) and half sister Arsinoe II, Lysimachus’ wife. Arsinoe’s scheming led to the execution of Agathocles, and so Ptolemy Keraunos and Lysandra fled to the court of Seleucus just before his invasion of Thrace. P. Keraunos personally murdered Seleucus in his tent.

Some notable prophecies surrounding this, according to Appian of Alexandria’s “Syriaca”, are how when Seleucus visited the oracle of Didyma early in Alexander’s conquests he was told “Do not hurry back to Europe, Asia will be much better for you”. Appian also quotes an unnamed oracle who told Seleucus “If you keep away from Argos you will reach your allotted year, but if you approach that place you will die before your time.” Seleucus did his best to avoid every town named Argos, but he decided to stop at a grand altar in a temple, attributed by the natives to the Argonauts. Due to its origin, people in the town called that temple Argos. Seleucus was allegedly murdered by Ptolemy Keraunos while learning about this from the locals.

[antigonos]

The Antigonid and the Seleucid fanboy in me never has a good time when watching diadochi videos but I can’t stop, this period of history is so cool

[MrNTF-viqc]

Everyone: Fighting each other. Ptolemy: Can you all just chill out?

[giovannimuz]

The video we've all been waiting for, THANK YOU. Next stop: rating all Hellenistic kings!

[benjesterw]

I like the use of images of diadochi where their likeness was recorded on statues, or made up by later artists. Also love the factoids about them, with some serious and some funny.

[namenotneeded]

Is it a coincidence that the Epilogue starts in 14:53?

[shamasmacshamas]

Could you do a video on the Parthians? They're always just a foe of the Romans, no one takes the time to explain their thing.

[giovannilloretsorribas]

A large empire that is split between generals who fight and conquer each other until only three kingdoms remain, trying to reunify the land... where have I seen this before?

[arcanistthesonofianite]

As someone who is recently become fascinated by this period, this is a very good video explaining it, also I love the little intros for each major player

[SilverisDuhas]

14:25 This isn't accurate. Ptolemy Keraunos wasn't the king of Macedon until after he assassinated Seleucus. After Keraunos fled from Egypt, he went to Lysimachus' court, but after some time they fell out and Keraunos had to flee again. He joined Seleucus and his army and surprisingly, despite Ptolemy Keraunos personality being rather abrasive and hot-tempered, he became a friend of Seleucus and gained his trust. On their way to Macedon, Seleucus was about to be acclaimed as the king of Macedon but one morning he was invited by Ptolemy Keraunos on a hunting trip. Keraunos literally stabbed Seleucus in the back and rushed to Macedon, where he was proclaimed king.

His head was being paraded on a spear 2 years later by the invading gauls.


Also, Cassander was actually a really successful and capable king, who did much to rebuild and develop the Macedonian kingdom. His execution of the royal heir and consort was from our perspective, a straight up dick move, but from diadochi perspective, it was a sound strategic move considering the civil war and faction politics in Macedon. Some scholars even say Cassander is a king that's on the same level as Philip II based on his achievements. We forget that Macedon was exhausted and depopulated after the great campaigns.

[Fatefly]

Man, I been watching your videos since the ranking of the Roman Emperors and this is one of your best. Recently I began a campaing with Macedon in Rome II Total War and this gives so much context, thank you.