Antipater I of Macedon facts for kids

Antipater I of Macedon (in Greek: Ἀντίπατρος) was a king of Macedon. He was the son of Cassander and Thessalonike of Macedon. Thessalonike was a half-sister of the famous Alexander the Great.

Antipater ruled Macedon from 297 BC to 294 BC. He shared the throne with his brother, Alexander V.

Early Life and Family Connections

Antipater I was born into a powerful family. His father, Cassander, was one of Alexander the Great's generals. After Alexander's death, Cassander became king of Macedon.

Antipater's mother, Thessalonike, was a princess. She was the daughter of King Philip II of Macedon. This made her Alexander the Great's half-sister.

Becoming King of Macedon

Antipater became king after his father, Cassander, died. He ruled alongside his younger brother, Alexander V. Sharing power often led to disagreements in ancient kingdoms.

Antipater eventually caused his mother's death. He also removed his brother, Alexander V, from the throne. This led to a lot of trouble in Macedon.

Struggles for Power

After being removed, Alexander V sought help from powerful leaders. He asked Pyrrhus, a king known for his military skills, for support. Alexander also turned to Demetrius I Poliorcetes. Demetrius was a strong general and a rival king.

Demetrius I came to Macedon. He overthrew Antipater and took control. Demetrius then arranged for Alexander V's death.

Antipater's Final Days

Antipater fled from Demetrius I. He went to Thrace, a region to the northeast of Macedon. However, he was not safe there for long.

Antipater died at the hands of Lysimachus. Lysimachus was another powerful general who had become king of Thrace.

Family and Legacy

Antipater I was married to Eurydice. She was his paternal first cousin and the daughter of Lysimachus.

Antipater and his brother, Alexander V, were important. They were the last kings of Macedon who were direct descendants of Perdiccas I. Perdiccas I was the founder of the Macedonian royal family.