Antigonus I Monophthalmus

Lore & Background

Antigonus likely served under Philip II of Macedon. He took part in Alexander's invasion of Achaemenid Persia and was named satrap of Phrygia. After Alexander's death in 323 BC, he also received Pamphylia and Lycia in accordance with the Partition of Babylon. However, he later incurred the enmity of Perdiccas, the regent of Alexander's empire, and was driven from Phrygia. He fled to Greece and formed an alliance with Antipater, later joined by Ptolemy, against Perdiccas. Perdiccas was murdered by his own officers in 320 BC, and Antipater was elected the new regent. During a series of wars between Alexander's successors, Antigonus briefly emerged as the most powerful of the Diadochi, ruling over Greece, Asia Minor, Syria, Phoenicia and northern Mesopotamia. Cassander, Seleucus, Ptolemy and Lysimachus formed a coalition against him, which culminated in his decisive defeat and death at the Battle of Ipsus in 301 BC. His kingdom was divided up by Lysimachus and Seleucus, but his son Demetrius survived and went on to seize control of Macedonia in 294 BC.

Reader's Guide

Antigonus was born in Macedonia around 382 BC to a nobleman named Philip. By the time he emerges in historical sources he is noted as being in command of a large part of Alexander's army, with responsibility over approximately 7,000 allied Greek infantry. There is an anecdote recorded by Plutarch about an Antigonus who lost an eye at the Siege of Perinthus in 340 BC after 'a catapult bolt struck him in the eye.' In 334 BC, Antigonus served as the commander of the allied Greek infantry. Alexander appointed him as satrap of Phrygia. As satrap, he besieged a garrison of mercenaries (1,000 Carians and 100 Greeks) and enrolled them in his service, allowing him to send his own Greek troops (1,500 mercenaries) to reinforce Alexander at Issus. After the Battle of Issus, he succeeded the Achaemenid satrap of Greater Phrygia, Atizyes, who had died during the battle. Antigonus defeated Persian forces in three separate battles. After Alexander's death, Antigonus held authority over Phrygia, Lycaonia, Pamphylia, Lycia and western Pisidia. He escaped with his son Demetrius to Greece, obtaining the favor of Antipater and Craterus. In 320 BC, Antigonus sailed to and secured Cyprus. With the death of Perdiccas in 321 BC, Antipater was made regent and Antigonus became Strategos of Asia. He marched against the ex-Perdiccans Eumenes, Alketas, Domikos, Attalos and Polemon. He defeated Eumenes at the Battle of Orkynia, forcing him to retire to the fortress of Nora. He then surprised and defeated the combined forces of Alcetas, Dokimos, Attalos and Polemon at the Battle of Cretopolis. In two brilliant campaigns in one season, he annihilated the remnants of the Perdiccan faction except for Eumenes, bottled up in Nora. When Antipater died in 319 BC, Antigonus refused to recognize Polyperchon as regent. He defeated Cleitus the White at the Battle of Byzantium by a double assault by land and sea. He marched east into Cilicia, then into Mesopotamia and Susiana, pursuing Eumenes. At the river Kopratas, Eumenes surprised Antigonus during the crossing and killed or captured 4,000 of his men. Antigonus abandoned the crossing and marched up into Media.

Did You Know?

• Antigonus lost an eye at the Siege of Perinthus in 340 BC when a catapult bolt struck him in the eye, according to an anecdote recorded by Plutarch.
• As satrap of Phrygia, Antigonus besieged a garrison of 1,000 Carians and 100 Greeks, then enrolled them in his service and sent 1,500 of his own Greek mercenaries to reinforce Alexander at Issus.
• Antigonus defeated the Perdiccan faction in two brilliant campaigns in one season, annihilating all opponents except Eumenes, who was bottled up in the fortress of Nora.
• At the river Kopratas, Eumenes surprised Antigonus during a river crossing and killed or captured 4,000 of his men.
• Antigonus assumed the title of basileus (king) in 306 BC and reigned until his death at the Battle of Ipsus in 301 BC.