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{{Short description|Macedonian general and regent (355–320 BC)}}
{{good article}}
{{other uses|Perdiccas (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Perdiccas
| native_name         = Περδίκκας
| native_name_lang    = grc
| image               = Philip III Arrhidaios Babylon mint struck under Perdikkas circa 323 320 BC.jpg
| alt                 = A color photograph of two silver coins against a white background, the front shows a long-haired man, the back shows a Greek god seated on a chair with a bird resting on his right hand
| caption             = Silver [[tetradrachm]] of [[Philip III Arrhidaeus]] struck under Perdiccas in [[Babylon]], circa 323–320{{nbsp}}BC.<ref>Head of [[Heracles]] left, wearing lion skin headdress / [BASILEWS FILIPPOU]. [[Zeus]] Aëtophoros seated right; wheel and monogram in left field, monogram below throne.</ref>
| office              = Regent of [[Macedonia (ancient kingdom)|Macedon]]
| term_start          = 323{{nbsp}}BC
| term_end            = 320{{nbsp}}BC
| monarch             = [[Alexander IV of Macedon|Alexander IV]] and [[Philip III Arrhidaeus|Philip III]]
| predecessor         = Last held by [[Ptolemy of Aloros]] (368–365{{nbsp}}BC)
| successor           = [[Peithon]] and [[Arrhidaeus]]
| birth_date          = {{circa}} 355{{nbsp}}BC
| birth_place         = 
| death_date          = 320{{nbsp}}BC (aged 34–36)
| death_place         = 
| death_cause         = Killed by his own soldiers
| occupation          = [[General]] <br>
[[Regent]]
| allegiance          = [[Macedonia (ancient kingdom)|Macedonia]]
| spouse              = Daughter of [[Atropates]]<br> [[Nicaea of Macedon]]
| parents             = Orontes (father)
| serviceyears        = 335 – 320{{nbsp}}BC
| battles             = {{tree list}}
* [[Wars of Alexander the Great]]
**[[Battle of Thebes]]
**[[Battle of Gaugamela]]
**[[Battle of Hydaspes]]
* [[First War of the Diadochi]]{{assassinated}}
{{tree list/end}}|
}}

'''Perdiccas''' ({{langx|el|Περδίκκας}}, ''Perdikkas''; {{circa}} 355{{Nbsp}}BC &ndash; 320{{Nbsp}}BC) was a [[Ancient Macedonians|Macedonian]] general, [[Diadochi|successor]] of [[Alexander the Great]], and the [[regent]] of Alexander's empire after his death. When Alexander was dying, he entrusted his [[signet ring]] to Perdiccas. Initially the most pre-eminent of the successors,{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=153. "Perdiccas deserves to be considered the first of the Diadochoi. To him Alexander had given his signet ring and, with it, all the uncompleted projects, all the unresolved and festering problems of an empire too quickly subdued and ruled, primarily, by force...  In order to continue Alexander's work Perdiccas would have to be another Alexander, and this he was not... Confounded in every undertaking by the jealousy of his colleagues and maligned after his death in the memoirs of an enemy, Perdiccas is remembered as a man of far-reaching ambition, ruined by his own incompetence and abrasive personality"}} Perdiccas effectively ruled Alexander's increasingly unstable empire<ref>Besides Macedon and Greece, which were held by [[Antipater]].</ref> from [[Babylon]] for three years until his assassination, as the kings he ruled for were incapable.{{sfnm|Anson|2014|1p=59}}

Perdiccas was born to [[Macedonia (ancient kingdom)|Macedonian]] nobility. A supporter, {{Transliteration|grc|[[Somatophylakes|somatophylax]]}} (bodyguard) and {{Transliteration|grc|[[Hetairoi|hetairos]]}} (elite cavalry commander) of Alexander, he took part in [[Wars of Alexander the Great|Alexander's campaign]] against the [[Achaemenid Persian Empire]], distinguishing himself at the battles of [[Battle of Thebes|Thebes]] and [[Battle of Gaugamela|Gaugamela]], and followed Alexander into [[Indian campaign of Alexander the Great|India]]. When [[Death of Alexander the Great|Alexander died]] in 323{{Nbsp}}BC, Perdiccas rose to become supreme commander of the imperial army, as well as regent for Alexander's vast empire, ruling on behalf of Alexander's intellectually disabled heir, King [[Philip III of Macedon|Philip III Arrhidaeus]], and Alexander's infant son, King [[Alexander IV of Macedon]].

Perdiccas gained supreme power as guardian of the two kings, but also inherited the problems of Alexander's quickly conquered and unstable empire. To consolidate power and retain authority, Perdiccas crushed numerous revolts, like that of [[Ariarathes I of Cappadocia|Ariarathes]], and assassinated rivals, like [[Meleager (general)|Meleager]]. Perdiccas' position as regent was never fully secure, however, and his authority was repeatedly contested by other high officers. His attempt to marry [[Cleopatra of Macedon]], Alexander's sister, which would have given him claim to the Macedonian throne, angered critical generals—including [[Antipater]], [[Craterus]] and [[Antigonus I Monophthalmus|Antigonus]]—who decided to revolt against the regent in the [[First War of the Diadochi]]. In response to this formidable coalition and a provocation from another general, [[Ptolemy I Soter|Ptolemy]], Perdiccas invaded Egypt, but his soldiers [[mutiny|mutinied]] and [[assassination|killed him]] in 320{{Nbsp}}BC when the invasion foundered. 

==Family background and early life==
[[File:Ancient Macedonia.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Map of ancient Macedon. Perdiccas was born in Orestis, located in the light blue region to the left of the dark blue region (Macedon itself) above|alt=A color map of modern Greece and western Turkey, Macedonia is shaded dark blue, some territory to its left and right are shaded light blue]]
According to the 2nd-century historian [[Arrian]], Perdiccas was the son of the Macedonian nobleman Orontes,{{Sfn|Austin|1994|p=21}} a descendant of the independent princes of the [[Macedonia (ancient kingdom)|Macedonian]] province of [[Orestis (region)|Orestis]].{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=154}} While Perdiccas' actual date of birth is unknown, he would seem to have been of a similar age to Alexander;{{sfn|Rowson|2022|pp=148–149}} historian Tristan Hughes estimated that he was born around 361{{Nbsp}}BC{{Sfn|Hughes|2022|pp=2–3 states that Perdiccas was around 26 when he first received command of a battalion }} and historian Waldemar Heckel described him as younger than [[Ptolemy I Soter|Ptolemy, son of Lagus]].{{sfn|Heckel|2022|p=35}} He had a younger brother called [[Alcetas]]{{Sfn|Hughes|2022|pp=19, 321}} and a sister, Atalante, who married [[Attalus (son of Andromenes)|Attalus]].{{Sfn|Hughes|2022|pp=323}} Perdiccas may have had, through some distant relation, blood of the [[Argead]] royal family.{{sfn|Heckel|2006|p=197}}

Little is known of Perdiccas' youth, but he was probably brought to the Macedonian court in [[Pella]] to serve as page like many other young nobles alongside Alexander.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=154}}{{efn|Writer Alex Rowson argued that Perdiccas was "probably" among the royal pages who were educated alongside Alexander by [[Aristotle]] at [[Mieza (Macedonia)|Mieza]], allowing him to befriend the prince.{{sfn|Rowson|2022|pp=148–149}} }} In 336{{Nbsp}}BC, when [[Pausanias of Orestis|Pausanias]] assassinated King [[Philip II of Macedon]], the father of Alexander the Great, Perdiccas was among those who chased the assassin down and killed him.{{sfn|Heckel|2006|p=197}}

An anecdote reports that Perdiccas once went into the cave of a lioness who had recently gave birth, and stole two of its cubs.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=170, citing Aelian's Varia Historia, 12.39. Heckel believes this is an allegory for Perdiccas' regency over Philip III and Alexander IV}} Another tells a story of his fondness for exercise, along with his fellow Orestian and successor, [[Craterus]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Athenaeus: Deipnosophists - 12.55.c |url=https://www.attalus.org/old/athenaeus12b.html#539 |access-date= |website=www.attalus.org}}</ref>

==Career under Alexander==
[[File:Macedonian Army Thessalian.jpg|left|thumb|[[Relief carving]] of a mounted horseman on the [[Alexander Sarcophagus]] of [[Sidon]]. Depicting the [[Battle of Issus]], this figure is often identified as Perdiccas.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=The attribution is speculative |first=as the historian Waldemar Heckel notes that "no Macedonian except Alexander can be identified with certainty" |date=2006 |title=Mazaeus, Callisthenes and the Alexander Sarcophagus |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4436826 |journal=Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte |volume=55 |issue=4 |page=393 |issn=0018-2311 |jstor=4436826}}</ref>|alt=A color photograph of a stone carving, showing a soldier on horseback figjting another soldier not visible in the frame]]
Compared to other companions and boyhood friends of Alexander, Perdiccas earned an "early promotion" when he was appointed the commander of a battalion of the [[Macedonian phalanx]] ([[Phalanx formation|heavy infantry]]).{{sfn|Rowson|2022|p=306}} In 335{{Nbsp}}BC, Perdiccas fought in the [[Alexander's Balkan campaign|Balkan campaigns of Alexander]] against the [[Illyrians|Illyrian]] peoples located northwest of Macedon. In the same year, he distinguished himself during the [[Battle of Thebes|conquest]] of [[Thebes (Greece)|Thebes]], which had rebelled against Macedon following the death of Philip II.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=156}} He was heavily wounded during the fighting, but the sources differ on Perdiccas's exact role at Thebes.{{sfn|Rowson|2022|pp=336–338}} According to [[Diodorus Siculus]], Perdiccas led a contingent which stormed the rear gate of the city on the orders of Alexander;{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=156}}{{sfn|Rowson|2022|p=338}} Arrian instead reported that the battalion commander organized an unsanctioned assault on the Theban defenses, breaking through and allowing Alexander to exploit the breach.{{sfn|Rowson|2022|pp=336–337}} Historian [[Alexander Demandt]] argued that Perdiccas' assault disrupted Alexander's attempt to negotiate a peaceful solution with Thebes.{{Sfn|Demandt|2013|p=99}}

Afterward, Perdiccas accompanied Alexander on his [[Wars of Alexander the Great|campaigns against]] the [[Achaemenid Empire|Achaemenid Persian Empire]]. Sources generally agree that Perdiccas was a loyal soldier of Alexander.{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=80}}{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=153, citing Tarn CAH VI, 462}} For example, the ancient historian [[Plutarch]] reports the following conversation between the two prior to the [[Battle of Granicus]] (the first encounter between Alexander and the Persians), when Alexander was allotting lands and properties to his followers:

{{blockquote|So that at last [Alexander] had portioned out or engaged almost all the royal property; which giving Perdiccas an occasion to ask him what he would leave himself, he replied, his hopes. "Your soldiers," replied Perdiccas, "will be your partners in those," and refused to accept of the estate he had assigned him. Some others of his friends did the like...<ref>This comes from Plutarch's Life of Alexander, 15.4</ref>}}

Perdiccas led his battalion at the battles of Granicus, [[Battle of Issus|Issus]], and [[Battle of Gaugamela|Gaugamela]], where he again distinguished himself and was wounded. Perdiccas became a {{Transliteration|grc|[[somatophylax]]}} ({{gloss|bodyguard}}) of Alexander following this, and his influence probably grew steadily thereafter.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=158}} Perdiccas' battalion was used by Alexander to flank and win the [[Battle of the Persian Gate]] in 330{{Nbsp}}BC.{{sfn|Arrian|loc=2.18}} When [[Philotas]], the son of [[Parmenion]] and an important general in Alexander's army, was held in suspicion by the king, Perdiccas was among the close companions who joined Alexander in discussing what should be done.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|pp=157-158}} When a drunk Alexander attempted to kill another of his companions, [[Cleitus the Black]], in 328{{Nbsp}}BC, Perdiccas was among those who held Alexander back before he ultimately succeeded.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=158}}

Subsequently, he held an important command in the Indian campaigns of Alexander. Perdiccas and [[Hephaestion]], Alexander's closest companion, were generally compatible and seemed to have got along well, as both were selected by Alexander to ford the [[Indus River]] (a task which required coordination) and did so without issue.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=159}} This contrasts Hephaestion's known quarrels with other prominent generals of Alexander, such as Craterus and [[Eumenes of Cardia]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Oczachowska |first=Klaudia |date=31 August 2024 |title=Beloved Hephaestion – detested Hephaestion |url=https://czasopisma.uwm.edu.pl/index.php/ep/article/view/10505 |journal=Echa Przeszłości |language=en |issue=XXV/1 |pages=11–23 |doi=10.31648/ep.10505 |issn=2450-078X|doi-access=free }}</ref> Alongside their compatibility, Perdiccas was attached to Hephaestion likely due to his superior military experience.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=88}} Perdiccas was part of the cavalry under Alexander's control at the [[Battle of the Hydaspes]] in 326{{Nbsp}}BC and crossed the river with him in said battle. Perdiccas later plundered around [[Sangala]], and assaulted and sacked the [[Mallian]] towns.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=159}} Alexander was wounded in this campaign, having been shot in the chest with an arrow that penetrated his armor; some traditions say Perdiccas was the one who cut the arrow out with a sword and saved the king's life.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=160}}

In 324{{Nbsp}}BC, at the [[Susa weddings|nuptials celebrated]] at [[Susa]], a prominent Persian city, Perdiccas married the daughter of the Persian [[satrap]] of [[Medes|Media]], [[Atropates]]. Perdiccas' wife's name is not known and he likely divorced her following Alexander's death.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=161, who cites Arrian 7.4.5}}{{efn|Historian Elizabeth Baynham argued that Perdiccas' Persian ex-wife may have remained in his entourage until his eventual death, potentially rejoining her father's household afterward.{{sfn|Baynham|2022|p=162}} }} When Hephaestion unexpectedly died the same year, Perdiccas was appointed his successor as commander of the [[Companion cavalry]] and [[chiliarch]], effectively becoming Alexander's second-in-command. He was also entrusted with the responsibility of transferring Hephaestion's corpse to [[Babylon]] for burning and burial.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=161}} As Alexander lay dying in his bed, he gave his [[Seal (emblem)|signet ring]] to Perdiccas.{{sfnm|Heckel|2006|1p=198|Diod.|2loc=17.117.3, 18.2.4. There is some scholarly debate about whether this really occurred or is "Perdiccan [[propaganda]]". Most scholars accept it at face value to explain how Perdiccas became so influential after Alexander's death, but others reject its veracity due to how the histories of the time came down to us ||{{pb}}AtkinsonYardley|2009|3p=145 points out [[Ptolemy I Soter|Ptolemy's]] enmity for Perdiccas (Ptolemy's lost account greatly influenced later surviving sources, namely [[Arrian]]) might explain the muddled tradition, as well as [[Quintus Curtius Rufus|Curtius]]' tendency to see Roman patterns, or perhaps place them, in Greek history |Badian|2012|4loc=passim in "The Ring and the Book", believes it is impossible to know the truth of the matter, in that evidence for and against are roughly equal. Regardless, Perdiccas' dominance over the other Successors immediately after Alexander's death is undisputed}}{{sfnm|Anson|2014|1p=15|Heckel|2016|2p=162, who believes that this is something "Ptolemy the historian took pains to suppress". {{pb}}What exactly Alexander intended with this gesture is unclear. Most scholars believe Alexander wanted Perdiccas to handle the empire's administration until [[Alexander IV of Macedon|his son]] came of age, while others, citing the Liber de Morte (which says Alexander wanted his wife, [[Roxana]], to marry Perdiccas) believe it is possible, though highly unlikely, that Alexander wanted Perdiccas to succeed him as king altogether}} Although Alexander's intention with this action is not clear, it is probable that he wanted Perdiccas to reign as regent until his children came of age.{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=15}}

==Succession and crisis==
{{further information|Partition of Babylon}}
Following the [[death of Alexander the Great]] on 11 June 323{{Nbsp}}BC in Babylon, his generals met to discuss succession and next steps.{{sfn|Anson|2014|pp=11-15}} Perdiccas was very influential at this point, as a close friend of Alexander, his second-in-command, the foremost of the generals, and also because he possessed the signet ring Alexander had given to him.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=162}}

=== Debate for leadership ===
The debate around who would succeed Alexander led to a divide in the Macedonian army; on one side were the aristocratic cavalry officers (generals), and on the other side were the infantry soldiers. The infantry, also wanting to listen to the discussion, broke into the room where Perdiccas and the other generals were speaking.{{Sfn|Anson|2014|p=14}} Perdiccas, having placed the ring he had received from Alexander on the throne, along with the royal robes and [[diadem]],{{sfn|Waterfield|2011|p=20}} proposed that a final decision could wait until Alexander's wife [[Roxana]], who was pregnant, had given birth. If the unborn child (the future [[Alexander IV of Macedon]]) was a boy, then Perdiccas proposed that the child be chosen as the new king.{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=14}}

This meant Perdiccas would be the [[regent]] and effectively the ruler of Alexander's empire until Roxana's unborn child was old enough to rule.{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=15. "It is also very possible that Perdiccas desired to be king in his own right"}} Though his later actions would show Perdiccas had ambitions to be king, during the assembly, when [[Aristonous]], a fellow bodyguard, proclaimed Perdiccas should be made king and the suggestion was met with significant approval, Perdiccas hesitated to accept the position, and the moment was lost.{{sfnm|Anson|2014|1p=15|Waterfield|2011|2p=22. Reasons why are debated. The Argead kingship had been held by that family for centuries, and Perdiccas may have felt that it would be easy for his political opponents to label him as a usurper due to the presence of living, if inept, heirs |{{pb}}Bosworth|2005|3p=43 brings up the possibility that Aristonous' statement might be negative propaganda, to show that the bodyguard had little affection for the Argead kings, while |Romm|2011|4p=61 considers the entire incident ahistorical, a "Roman fantasy" imported into Greek history by Curtius, who was Roman}} Another of Alexander's companions, Ptolemy, proposed a joint board of generals to rule the Empire, perhaps as a slight against Perdiccas as such a scheme would greatly decrease his current authority.{{sfn|Romm|2011|p=61 takes this view, noting that any attempt to decentralize authority away from the kings was an attempt to limit Perdiccas' power}} Other proposals were considered, but despite misgivings amongst the other generals, most accepted Perdiccas' proposal of waiting until Roxana gave birth. The agreed upon interim arrangement was Perdiccas and [[Leonnatus]] overseeing Asia, and Craterus and [[Antipater]] ruling Macedonian-controlled Europe.{{sfn|Romm|2011|p=62}}{{sfn|Just.|loc=13.4.14}}
[[File:Alexander IV coin.png|thumb|Coin of [[Alexander IV of Macedon]]. Despite the faith put in Roxana's child as a future king, it was not actually known, until his birth, that Alexander IV would be a boy|alt=A black and white photograph of the front of a silver coin, showing a long-haired man]]
However, the infantry commander [[Meleager (general)|Meleager]] disagreed with Perdiccas' plans. Meleager argued in favour of Alexander's intellectually disabled half brother, [[Philip III of Macedon|Philip III Arrhidaeus]], whom he considered first in succession. The infantry supported this proposal with Meleager's troops willing to fight in favour of Philip III, who they crowned. The infantry began to riot, and the generals united under Perdiccas' authority.{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=19}} After a brief scuffle, Perdiccas ordered a tactical retreat and the generals fled Babylon, but Perdiccas remained for a time hoping to regain the allegiance of the infantry.{{Sfn|Roisman|2012|p=73}}{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=165}} Meleager sent assassins to kill him. Despite only having page boys with him, Perdiccas met the assassins openly, and taunted and terrified them into fleeing.{{sfnm|Anson|2014|1p=19, citing Quintus Curtius Rufus 10.8.1-3|Roisman|2012|p=74}}

=== Siege of Babylon ===
Perdiccas joined the generals outside of Babylon and put the city to [[siege]], cutting off the [[Military supply-chain management|supply lines]].{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=166}}{{sfn|Waterfield|2011|p=24}} Meleager's powerbase began to diminish, and he was eventually convinced by Eumenes of Cardia, Alexander's former secretary, to reconcile with the generals, perhaps in collusion with Perdiccas.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=166}} Perdiccas announced Philip III and the unborn child of Alexander's wife Roxana, the future Alexander IV of Macedon, would be recognised as joint kings to placate Meleager.{{sfn|Waterfield|2011|p=24}} While the general [[Craterus]] was officially declared "Guardian of the Royal Family",{{sfn|Heckel|2006|p=199}} Perdiccas effectively held this position, as the joint kings were with him in Babylon. [[Antipater]] was confirmed as [[viceroy]] of Macedon and [[Ancient Greece|Greece]]. To formalize the reconciliation between the generals and infantry, Perdiccas announced a lustration (a religious purification ritual) and review of the army, convincing Meleager and the infantry to attend.{{sfn|Heckel|2006|p=199. Meleager believed Perdiccas now trusted him, as he promised him a coregency. Perdiccas had told him the men he planned to kill were those who protested Meleager's new ascendant position}}

When the infantry accepted and marched outside Babylon, Perdiccas held a clear military advantage as he controlled all the cavalry and could threaten the infantry with a [[flanking maneuver]]. He then sent Philip III to order the capture of the rebellious leaders of the infantry, except for Meleager. Perdiccas had these 30 men (sometimes reported as 300) killed by having them trampled upon by his [[war elephants]].{{Sfn|Waterfield|2011|p=25}} Soon afterward, having cowed the infantry, Perdiccas had Meleager executed as well.{{sfnm|Waterfield|2011|1p=25|Green|1990|2p=8}} Though successful in securing his supreme power again, the incident left the chiliarch and regent Perdiccas untrusting of the other generals, who were also suspicious of him now.{{sfn|Phot.|loc=92.2|}}

== Regent of Alexander's empire ==
Through the [[Partition of Babylon]] in 323{{Nbsp}}BC, a compromise was reached under which Perdiccas was to serve as the "Regent of the Empire" ({{Transliteration|grc|epimelētēs|}}) for the disabled Philip III and infant Alexander IV, as well as the supreme commander (''{{Transliteration|grc|[[strategos]]|}}'') of the imperial army. Perdiccas soon showed himself intolerant of rivals and, acting in the name of the two kings, sought to hold the empire together under his own hand. Perdiccas oversaw the distribution of [[satrapies]] to the other generals, sending away officers who threatened his authority.{{sfnm|Heckel|2016|p=168. Heckel notes this failed to help, however, since these officers would built their satrapies for revolt, like Ptolemy. The exact amount of power Perdiccas had in the distribution is unclear; he held supreme power, but he could not afford to offend the other powerful generals while his authority was still new and unproven}} Perdiccas also attached [[Cleomenes of Naucratis]] to Ptolemy in Egypt as a lieutenant. Modern historians believe this was done to limit Ptolemy's power and keep a watch on his actions.{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=47}}

The men who remained at court with Perdiccas were probably those he could trust: his brother Alcetas, his brother-in-law Attalus, [[Seleucus I Nicator|Seleucus]], and Aristonous. Alexander the Great's second wife, [[Stateira II|Stateira]], was murdered by Perdiccas, possibly at the urging of Roxana.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=168. Stateira and the other Achaemenid princesses were threats to Perdiccas' regime if they birthed a child by Alexander; Roxana's instigation was probably for her own safety and position in Perdiccas' court}} Perdiccas also procured Alexander's "Last Plans" through the help of Eumenes, read the plans out before the army, and rejected them.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=170}} This was done because not only were the plans extraordinarily expensive and grand (they included, for example, the conquest of all of [[North Africa]] and the powerful [[Ancient Carthage|Carthaginian Empire]], along with the construction of a fleet of a thousand [[warship]]s),{{sfnm|Waterfield|2011|1p=11. Alexander apparently wanted to conquer all of northern Africa, [[Carthage]], Spain, Sicily, and then Italy, and to accomplish this planned to found numerous cities and construct a war fleet of a thousand ships. Some scholars believe Perdiccas invented these plans to consolidate his authority as regent. As |Austin|1994|2p=55 notes, there is a lot of debate around whether they are legitimate or not}} but also because Perdiccas probably did not want to anger [[Antipater]] by replacing him with [[Craterus]].{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=169. Craterus had been tasked with returning 10,000 Macedonian veterans to Macedon and to replace Antipater as viceroy of Europe by Alexander}} Alexander's wife Roxana gave birth (in the late summer or early fall of 323{{Nbsp}}BC) and Perdiccas assumed the guardianship of [[Alexander IV of Macedon|Alexander IV]].{{Sfn|Bosworth|2005|p=|pp=9, 61}}

=== Rebellions and refusals ===
As his authority was unstable, possibly as early as the Siege of Babylon Perdiccas had negotiated a marriage with [[Nicaea of Macedon]], the daughter of Antipater, to ally himself with the viceroy, acknowledging Antipater's rule in Europe while improving his own position in Asia.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=171}}

==== Bactrian Greek revolt ====
During the winter of 323{{Nbsp}}BC in the [[Upper Satrapies]], specifically in [[Bactria]] (in modern-day [[Afghanistan]]), a rebellion had begun consisting of 23,000 Greek mercenaries who had heard of Alexander's death and now wanted to return home.{{sfnm|Heckel|2016|1p=171|Diod.|2loc=18.7.2}}{{Sfn|Bosworth|2005|p=|pp=61-62}} In response, Perdiccas tasked [[Peithon]], another of Alexander's {{Transliteration|grc|somatophylakes}} and satrap of [[Media (region)|Media]], with quelling it, and sent orders for the eastern satraps to contribute troops as well.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=171}}{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=37}} Peithon marched east leading 3,800 men, with 10,000 to come from the eastern satraps.{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=28–29}} Although ancient sources suggest Peithon intended to recruit the Greeks and betray Perdiccas, modern historians dispute this.{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=29}} When the armies met, the Greeks surrendered and were partially slaughtered by Peithon's army.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=172}} Perdiccas' motive in this affair is not clear; some traditions say he gave the order for the massacre in order to ensure Peithon did not gain an army{{sfn|Heckel|2016|pp=171-172.}} or to punish the rebels,{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=29}} while another hypothesis is that the slaughter of the Greeks may have occurred through the actions of Peithon and was later blamed on Perdiccas.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=172}}

==== Conquest of Cappadocia ====
Despite success in the east, Perdiccas' authority as regent was then challenged in the west. Here, Perdiccas had appointed [[Leonnatus]], another {{Transliteration|grc|somatophylax}}, as satrap of [[Phrygia|Hellespontine Phrygia]] on the western coast of [[Asia Minor]].{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=172}} At the Partition of Babylon, Perdiccas' supporter Eumenes was given the satrapies of [[Cappadocia]] and [[Paphlagonia]], but both were unconquered.{{sfnm|Anson|2015|1p=78|Heckel|2006|2p=121}} Perdiccas thus used his authority as regent of the joint kings to order Leonnatus and [[Antigonus I Monophthalmus|Antigonus]] (satrap of [[Phrygia]], [[Pamphylia]] and [[Lycia]]) to aid Eumenes in securing his satrapy.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=172}}{{sfn|Plut. ''Eum.''|loc=3.2}} Perdiccas probably gave Eumenes 5000 [[Talent (measurement)|talents]] of gold for the reconquest of Cappadocia, allowing Eumenes to hire mercenaries.{{sfn|Anson|2015|p=80}}
[[File:Map Anatolia ancient regions-en.svg|thumb|upright=1.2|Map of Anatolia, also called [[Anatolia|Asia Minor]], and its regions. Perdiccas moved into [[Cappadocia]], then [[Cilicia]], and then [[Pisidia]] in his successful restabilizing of the peninsula.|alt=A color map of Anatolia, with its various regions marked with black text]]
Antigonus refused Perdiccas' order.{{sfn|Plut. ''Eum.''|loc=3.5}} Leonnatus accepted, mustering an army and marching to Cappadocia, arriving in the spring of 322{{Nbsp}}BC.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=172}} Leonnatus, however, received a letter from Macedon from [[Cleopatra of Macedon|Cleopatra]], Alexander the Great's full sister, and Antipater, both asking him to come west. Cleopatra, probably influenced by her mother [[Olympias]], offered herself as Leonnatus' bride, which would give Leonnatus claim to the Macedonian throne. Meanwhile Antipater asked Leonnatus for urgent assistance, as the former was besieged at [[Lamia (city)|Lamia]] by the Greeks led by [[Leosthenes]], who were rebelling against Macedon in the [[Lamian War]].{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=172}} Leonnatus told Eumenes of his plan to head west, attempting to convince him to join; Eumenes refused and departed to Perdiccas' court, informing him of Leonnatus' intentions.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=172}} For this information, Perdiccas elevated Eumenes to the ruling council of the Empire.{{sfnm|Heckel|2016|1p=172|Waterfield|2011|2p=38}}{{sfn|Anson|2015|p=84}} This incident may have been what made Perdiccas "regard Cleopatra as a means of gaining supreme power".{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=173}}

Upon learning of Leonnatus' departure, in the early summer of 322{{Nbsp}}BC Perdiccas marched with the imperial army towards [[Asia Minor]] to reassert his dominance as regent, install Eumenes in Cappadocia, and confront Antigonus. It also allowed him to "complete the conquest of Alexander's empire"{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=47}} as Alexander had ignored Cappadocia.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|pp=172-173. Alexander had installed a satrap there, but the man disappears from history and Ariarathes is known to have been in revolt, independent, throughout Alexander's "reign" over Cappadocia}} In a single campaigning season, Perdiccas defeated the Achaemenid satrap of Cappadocia [[Ariarathes I]] and his large army (30,000 infantry, 15,000 cavalry) in two decisive [[pitched battles]], capturing more than 5,000 soldiers and killing 4,000 others, allowing his supporter Eumenes to claim his satrapy.{{sfnm|Anson|2014|1p=47|Diod.|2loc=18.16.2}} This greatly contributed to Perdiccas' prestige; Perdiccas took Ariarathes captive, [[torture]]d and killed him, and apparently [[impalement|impaled]] most of his family.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=173, who notes the cruel nature of this treatment. Perdiccas likely wanted no more trouble in Cappadocia, but evidently Ariarathes I's family line survived; see: [[Ariarathes II]]}} Perdiccas ordered Leonnatus to appear before him to stand trial for disobedience, but Leonnatus died during the [[Lamian War]] before the order reached him. At some time during the first year of his reign, Perdiccas crowned Alexander IV as king alongside Philip III.{{sfn|Bosworth|2005|p=62. When it occurred is not known exactly; Bosworth places it at the end of Perdiccas' Cappadocian conquest}}

==== Conquest of Pisidia, Isauria, Larandia ====
[[File:Coin of Ariarathes I of Cappadocia, minted in Gaziura.jpg|thumb|Coin of [[Ariarathes I of Cappadocia|Ariarathes I]], minted in [[Gaziura]], dated 333–322{{Nbsp}}BC. Perdiccas' defeat and execution of the 82 year old Ariarathes, along with his other conquests in Asia Minor, brought him to the height of his power.{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=51}}|alt=A color photograph of a silver coin on a white background. The front shows a Greek god sitting on a chair with a bird on his right hand, the back shows two horned animals]]
Having settled Cappadocia, Perdiccas planned to send Eumenes to subdue the [[Satrapy of Armenia]], which was being mismanaged by [[Neoptolemus (general)|Neoptolemus]].{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=173. Neoptolemus may have been sent in the first place by Perdiccas to defeat the remnants of Ariarathes' supporters, who had fled east after their destruction by Perdiccas}} He marched with Eumenes to Cilicia in the autumn of 322{{Nbsp}}BC and added the formidable and elite Macedonian [[Silver Shields]].{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=49}} The Silver Shields were some of the oldest and most experienced veterans of Alexander's conquests.{{sfn|Roisman|2012|pp=7, 177}} Perdiccas then gave Eumenes his orders,{{sfn|Anson|2015|pp=88, 89}} and marched to [[Pisidia]]. The native [[Isaurians]] and [[Karaman|Larandians]] living here had revolted, murdering Alexander's satrap.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=174}} Perdiccas campaigned against them next, easily conquering and destroying their cities in "short and brutal struggles",{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=51. Perdiccas may have appointed his brother Alcetas to command of Pisidia following his conquest of it}} acquiring great amounts of [[Looting|plunder]] and prestige; "Victorious in the field ... Perdiccas now enjoyed his greatest success".{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=174}}{{sfn|Green|1990|p=12}}

=== Marriage and war ===
To strengthen his control over the empire when his authority was weak, Perdiccas had agreed to marry Nicaea, the daughter of [[Antipater]], the regent of Macedon. But now, in the winter of 322–321{{Nbsp}}BC, with his position greatly strengthened, Perdiccas was reconsidering the engagement.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=175}} Furthermore, Olympias, the mother of Alexander the Great, offered him the hand of Cleopatra of Macedon, who was residing at [[Sardis]]. Eumenes urged Perdiccas to marry Cleopatra,{{sfn|Anson|2015|p=94}} while Perdiccas' brother Alcetas advised marriage to Nicaea.{{sfn|Diod.|loc=18.23.3}} Alcetas' faction believed that Perdiccas, in control of the royals, imperial army, and treasuries, could afford to wait for Antipater's death (he was very old) instead of incurring his wrath; Eumenes' faction argued Perdiccas ought to begin to formally rule and that the dual kingship of Philip III and Alexander IV was a sham.{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=54}}

Rejecting Nicaea here would begin war with Antipater; as Perdiccas had yet to deal with Antigonus, he married Nicaea for the time being.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=175}} During this winter, Antipater, having subdued [[Classical Athens|Athens]] in the Lamian War, deferred the decision regarding the [[Samos|Samian]] exiles to Perdiccas; they were allowed to return to Samos on Perdiccas' order.{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=53}}

==== Bid for kingship ====
Perdiccas decided that he wished to win the Macedonian throne, and had designed a plan for this; marriage to Cleopatra, and the return of Alexander's body, his son (Alexander IV), and his brother (Philip III) to Macedonia with Olympias' approval which, combined, would have made him "invincible"{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=56}} and virtually guaranteed the kingship.{{sfnm|Heckel|2016|1p=174|Anson|2015|2p=86}} Given the intellectual disability of Philip III and the limited acceptance of the infant [[Alexander IV of Macedon|Alexander IV]] due to his mother being a Persian, the marriage in particular would have given Perdiccas a claim as Alexander's true successor as king, not merely as regent. Feeling "full of confidence and well able to handle all his rivals," Perdiccas set about planning his march on Macedon.{{sfn|Waterfield|2011|p=46}} At this time he also responded to communications from the Athenian orator [[Demades]] and the [[Aetolian League]], plotting with them secretly to depose Antipater.{{sfn|Anson|2014|pp=56–57}}

Around this time, [[Cynane]], Alexander's half-sister and widow of the Macedonian King [[Amyntas IV]], arranged for her daughter, [[Eurydice II of Macedon|Eurydice II]], to marry Philip III.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=176. Trying to marry Perdiccas would have been pointless since Cleopatra was a much better royal marriage option for him than Eurydice}} Perdiccas, knowing this marriage would undermine his control over Philip III,{{sfn|Green|1990|p=12}} sent an army under his brother Alcetas to order Cynane to return to Macedon. Cynane refused, and Alcetas' army killed her.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=177}} Whether Perdiccas ordered this killing or not is debated, but it initiated a reversal of his ascendancy; "His officers grew increasingly suspicious of his aspirations, the common soldier was alienated by his acts of barbarity".{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=177}}{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=55}} Perdiccas' army was furious at Cynane's murder and effectively [[mutiny|mutinied]]. This widespread discontent compelled Perdiccas to spare Eurydice II and marry her to Philip III after all, eroding his control over the royal family. Though Perdiccas was able to regain overall control, this incident seems to have demonstrated to him that "the marriage to Cleopatra, despite the risks involved, was essential if the empire was to remain intact".{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=49}} Eumenes, accordingly, was sent by Perdiccas to Cleopatra with gifts to discuss marriage once again, and plans were set in place for the marriage to go forward.{{sfn|Anson|2015|pp=101, 104}}

Perdiccas had, in the meantime, ordered Antigonus to stand trial for insubordination (failing to help Eumenes in Cappadocia) and other charges.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=175}} Antigonus was an entrenched and powerful satrap in Asia Minor; his refusal of Perdiccas' order undermined the authority of his government and Perdiccas wanted to rectify this.{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=52}} In response, Antigonus, fearing confrontation with the regent, fled to Antipater's court in Macedon, bringing news of not only Perdiccas' murder of Cynane, but his kingly aspirations and intention to marry Cleopatra instead of Nicaea.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|pp=175, 177}}{{sfn|Anson|2015|p=103. Perdiccas' marriage to Cleopatra would give him a claim to the Macedonian throne}} Craterus and Antipater, having subdued most of Greece in the Lamian War, were infuriated by Antigonus' news and Perdiccas' ambitions. They suspended their plans for more campaigns in Greece and prepared to march into Asia and depose Perdiccas, beginning the First War of the Diadochi.{{sfn|Anson|2015|p=103}}{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=57}}{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=177}}

== Civil war and invasion of Egypt==
{{main|First War of the Diadochi}}

=== Theft of the body of Alexander the Great ===
In late 321 and early 320{{Nbsp}}BC, as part of his kingly aspirations, Perdiccas intended to send Alexander's body back to [[Vergina|Aegae]] in [[Macedonia (ancient kingdom)|Macedonia]], the traditional place of burial for the royal family.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=178}} The officer [[Arrhidaeus]] (not the king) was chosen to escort the body back to [[Macedonia (ancient kingdom)|Macedonia]], having constructed an elaborate funeral carriage.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=178}} Perdiccas had informed Arrhidaeus of his plans, but Arrhidaeus began conveying Alexander's body to Egypt instead of Macedon, and met no resistance as he did so.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=178. Alexander himself apparently wanted to be buried in the [[Siwah Oasis]] originally}}{{sfn|Anson|2015|pp=105-106}} Ptolemy, who had already come to an understanding with Antipater and Craterus, had probably colluded with Arrhidaeus and [[Archon of Pella|Archon]], satrap of Babylon in order to have Alexander's body go to Egypt.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|pp=178, 179}} Perdiccas, enraged by this news, sent an army to recover the body, but Ptolemy defeated this force and successfully brought Alexander's remains back to Egypt, where they were housed in the city of [[Memphis, Egypt|Memphis]].{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=178}}

Since the Partition of Babylon, Ptolemy had conquered [[Cyrenaica]] without Perdiccas' approval,{{sfn|Green|1990|p=13}} and within a year of gaining his satrapy had unlawfully executed Cleomenes, the officer Perdiccas had attached to him.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=179}} Perdiccas, who already distrusted Ptolemy, regarded his diversion of Alexander's body as an unacceptable provocation, "an act of war", and after convening his officers decided to invade Egypt.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=179}}{{sfn|Waterfield|2011|p=49}}

=== Campaign against Ptolemy ===
Perdiccas' strategy was for his supporters to hold [[Asia Minor]] against Antipater and Craterus while he brought the royal army and the kings Philip III and Alexander IV south to eliminate Ptolemy. Perdiccas gave Eumenes of Cardia supreme command (as ''[[autokrator]]'') to hold the [[Hellespont]], and ordered Alcetas and Neoptolemus to obey Eumenes.{{sfn|Anson|2015|pp=106-107. He probably received the command due to his loyalty to Perdiccas, skill in battle, and victories in Cappadocia and Armenia. Eumenes' satrapy was also expanded to include Antigonus' old provinces}}{{sfn|Bosworth|2005|p=84}} [[Cleitus the White]] was ordered to aid Eumenes in the maritime domain.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=180}} Perdiccas probably expected to be able to defeat Ptolemy and then turn to combat Antipater and Craterus.{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=63}} Before Perdiccas left Pisidia, he attempted once more to entreat Cleopatra of Macedon to marry him, now needing the increased authority the marriage would bring, but she refused, not knowing who would win the war to come.{{sfn|Anson|2015|p=111}}{{sfn|Just.|loc=13.6.7, observes that Perdiccas "courted two wives at once, but obtained neither"}}{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=178. Another possibility is that Cleopatra agreed, but there was no time for the marriage to be formalized before Perdiccas left for Egypt}} Perdiccas marched to Cilicia first, deposing the satrap [[Philotas (satrap)|Philotas]] due to his friendship with Craterus, replacing him with [[Philoxenus (general)|Philoxenus]].{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=179}}

He prepared a fleet there while sending [[Docimus]] to Babylon to supplant the satrap Archon for collusion with Ptolemy.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=179}} Perdiccas also prepared another fleet, led by [[Sosigenes of Rhodes]] and [[Aristonous of Pella|Aristonous]], to conquer [[Cyprus]] and the Cypriot kings who had allied themselves to Ptolemy.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=180}} As he was heading south, Perdiccas, having heard that Alcetas and Neoptolemus were refusing to work under Eumenes, ordered them once again to subordinate themselves to him.{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=64}} Finally, a third fleet led by Attalus, his brother-in-law, carried Perdiccas' sister Atalante and shadowed Perdiccas' army on their southward march.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=180}} Docimus conquered Babylon and killed Archon in battle, while Perdiccas reached [[Damascus]] and deposed [[Laomedon of Mytilene|Laomedon]], satrap of Syria for sympathizing with Ptolemy.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=180}} Soon after arriving in Egypt, Perdiccas may have heard of Eumenes' victory over Neoptolemus, who had defected to Antipater and Craterus.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=181}}{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=66. See citation at the end of Assassination for further discussion}} With this boost in morale, and when further reinforcements joined him, Perdiccas marched towards the [[Nile]].

==== Fording of the Nile and the Camel's Rampart ====
[[File:Nile R02.jpg|thumb|The Nile river. A famously difficult river to forcibly cross throughout history,{{sfnm|Waterfield|2011|1p=64|Bosworth|2005|2p=14}} Perdiccas' attempt ultimately failed due to faulty execution, bad timing, and determined resistance from Ptolemy's armies.{{sfn|Waterfield|2011|pp=|p=64}}|alt=A color photograph of a river and its tree-covered banks]]
Ptolemy had been fortifying his satrapy for two years, believing war with Perdiccas was highly likely, and this greatly contributed to Perdiccas' difficulties and ultimate defeat.{{sfnm|Anson|2014|1pp=60, 165|Diod.|2loc=18.33.3}} Ptolemy directed his efforts to preventing an open pitched battle between him and Perdiccas.{{Sfn|Bosworth|2005|p=87}} 

Perdiccas reached the most easterly tributary of the Nile near [[Pelusium]], and discovered the opposite side was garrisoned. He had his troops construct a dam, probably intending to lower the water levels to ease a crossing, but the force of the river broke it apart.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=181}}{{sfn|Romm|2011|p=164}} It is possible that Perdiccas' invasion occurred while the [[Flooding of the Nile|Nile was flooding]].{{sfn|Anson|2014|pp=63, 69}} In any case, the destruction of the dam led some officers in Perdiccas' camp to defect; Perdiccas, in response, successfully inspired his army with gifts and titles to continue the war effort.{{sfnm|Heckel|2016|1p=182|Diod.|2loc=18.33.5}}

Perdiccas then decamped, not informing his soldiers where he intended to march. He travelled swiftly upstream to find a suitable point to cross, soon coming across a [[Ford (crossing)|ford]] which led to the cities of [[Tanis]] and [[Avaris]] on the other side of the Nile. However, a fort known as the 'Camel's Rampart' (''Kamelon Teichos'') inhibited his advance. Perdiccas then ordered his army to attack, leading an assault on the fortress at dawn.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=182}} Perdiccas deployed his [[war elephants]] first, then the [[hypaspists]] and [[Silver Shields]], leading the cavalry in the rear in case Ptolemy arrived.{{sfn|Diod.|loc=18.34.1}} When a large army under Ptolemy then arrived to reinforce the fort, denying Perdiccas an easy victory, Perdiccas, undaunted, renewed the assault. His infantry attempted to [[escalade]] the walls while his elephants destroyed Ptolemy's defenses.{{sfn|Diod.|loc=18.34.2}} The fighting continued inconclusively for a considerable amount of time, with heavy losses for both sides, before Perdiccas finally broke off the siege and marched back to his camp.{{sfn|Diod.|loc=18.34.5}}{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=182}}

That same night, Perdiccas broke camp again and marched to another ford, this one near [[Memphis, Egypt|Memphis]].{{Sfn|Bosworth|2005|p=14}} Here, Perdiccas placed his elephants upstream of this new crossing to block the currents that would otherwise sweep away his men and his cavalry downstream, and also to catch any soldiers unlucky enough to be swept away regardless of the elephants' makeshift dam.{{sfn|Waterfield|2011|p=64}}

For a time this strategy worked, enabling a sizeable contingent of Perdiccas's army to cross the river and reach an island at its center.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=182}} Many drowned in the attempt, however, and soon the elephants began to sink in the mud of the riverbed, disturbing the bottom and quickly inflating the currents.{{sfn|Waterfield|2011|p=64}} This proved to be a disaster for Perdiccas, as he had to abandon the crossing, leaving many of his infantry stranded on the island. Perdiccas recalled the soldiers, but most of this contingent drowned trying to make it back to the eastern bank, many being eaten by [[crocodiles]]. Perdiccas' losses totaled 2,000, including prominent officers.{{sfnm|Heckel|2016|1pp=182-183, citing |Diod.|2loc=18.36.1}}{{sfn|Green|1990|p=14}}

=== Assassination ===
Following what was so far a disastrous campaign, a mutiny broke out amongst Perdiccas' soldiers, who were disheartened by his failure to make progress in Egypt.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=183}} Angry at his failure and very likely colluding with Ptolemy,{{sfnm|Anson|2014|1p=69|Anson|2015|2p=124}}{{sfn|Waterfield|2011|p=64}} Perdiccas was murdered in his tent by his officers [[Peithon]], [[Antigenes (general)|Antigenes]], and [[Seleucus I Nicator|Seleucus]]; probably in the summer of 320{{Nbsp}}BC, roughly three years after he had assumed the regency.{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=59}}{{sfnm|Heckel|2016|1p=182|Nep.|2loc=18.5.1}} His officers and the rest of his army defected to [[Ptolemy I Soter|Ptolemy]], who rode into his camp the following day.{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=69}} Perdiccas' regency and guardianship over the kings was then jointly assumed by Peithon and Arrhidaeus (the officer) shortly before the [[Partition of Triparadisus]], where Antipater then gained the title.{{sfnm|Heckel|2016|1p=297|Waterfield|2011|2p=65}}

News of Eumenes' victory at the [[Battle of the Hellespont (321 BC)|Battle of the Hellespont]] in 320{{Nbsp}}BC where Craterus and Neoptolemus were killed, which would have instantly restored Perdiccas' authority, arrived in Egypt one day after his assassination.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=183. There is considerable scholarly confusion about the reports Perdiccas received about Eumenes' activity in Asia Minor from Egypt, but the claim that the news arrived too late - a day too late, is widely accepted}}{{sfn|Diod.|loc=18.37.1}} Historian Edward Anson notes that "if the news of Eumenes' victory over Craterus had arrived sooner, the entire history of the post-Alexander era might have been dramatically altered; Perdiccas might have emerged supreme, the successor of Alexander and the ruler of the vast Macedonian empire, with the inauguration of a new royal family".{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=68}} What became of Alexander's signet ring that Perdiccas carried, and even whether he brought it into Egypt, is not known.{{sfn|Romm|2011|p=199}}

== Legacy ==

=== Character ===
The ancient accounts are largely negative toward Perdiccas, claiming that, though "outstanding on the battlefield", he was arrogant, high-handed, and imperious.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|pp=183-184, citing Arrian Succ. Fragment 27}} Diodorus Siculus calls him ''phonikos'' (φονικός), a "man of slaughter".{{sfnm|Romm|2011|1p=212|Anson|2015|2p=116|Diod.|3loc=18.33.3. Another translation is "man of blood"}} Perdiccas' "autocratic savagery" is contrasted in these sources with Ptolemy's "moderation and magnanimity".{{Sfn|Bosworth|2005|p=34 admits this is likely "stereotype", but nonetheless believes there is some truth in the contrast}} This may be due to the "surpassing rivalry" and enmity between Perdiccas and Ptolemy, whose now lost account served as the basis for the surviving sources (chiefly Arrian) we have for Perdiccas' career.{{sfn|Diod.|loc=18.34.5}}{{sfn|Romm|2011|p=212. Romm, Errington, and Heckel believe this to be the case, Roisman does not. The examples brought up by those who believe this anti-Perdiccan Ptolemaic bias include: Arrian's lack of mention of Perdiccas receiving Alexander's ring and his promotion to chiliarch, and Arrian's description of Perdiccas' role in the [[Battle of Thebes]] as one of carelessness, among others. As Arrian notes in his histories that he followed the writings of Ptolemy, these have been argued to be calculated omissions to diminish Perdiccas' prestige by Ptolemy. Roisman, conversely, believes this bias is overblown and Ptolemy's omissions are far too subtle to have been intentional or malicious}}<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Errington |first=R. M. |date=1 January 1969 |title=Bias in Ptolemy's History of Alexander |journal=The Classical Quarterly |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=233–242 |doi=10.1017/S0009838800024642 |jstor=637545 |s2cid=170128227}}</ref>{{sfn|Heckel|2016|pp=155-156}}<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Roisman |first=Joseph |date=1 January 1984 |title=Ptolemy and His Rivals in His History of Alexander |journal=The Classical Quarterly |volume=34 |issue=2 |pages=373–385 |doi=10.1017/S0009838800031001 |jstor=638295 |s2cid=163042651}}</ref> The other characteristic regularly ascribed to Perdiccas by ancient sources is boldness.<ref>{{Cite web |last=For one example, see the following |title=Aelian: Various Histories. Book XII, 39 |url=https://penelope.uchicago.edu/aelian/varhist12.xhtml#chap64 |access-date= |website=penelope.uchicago.edu}}</ref>

Although Perdiccas was evidently a capable leader and effective soldier, a "military man",{{sfn|Heckel|2016|pp=88, 154-156, 159}} he is seen to have lacked the qualities his position as regent required.{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=65}} His rule was authoritarian and abrasive, winning him little love from the rank and file, and his punishments were often brutal.{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=65}}{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=154}} Anson believes Perdiccas "was not a man to be crossed" and that "most acceded to his demands in his presence rather than incur his wrath".{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=65}} Conversely, historian James Romm writes that "When a leader has failed, the very qualities that made him a leader suddenly appear as flaws. Perdiccas' arrogance and bloody-mindedness were no more pronounced than Alexander's ... but Alexander, unlike the hapless Perdiccas, knew little of failure".{{sfn|Romm|2011|p=212}} Heckel argues that Perdiccas was "undeniably more accomplished" than Ptolemy by the time of Alexander's death, with his faults "doubtless[ly] exaggerated by his political enemies".{{sfn|Heckel|2022|p=35}}

=== Political legacy and motives ===
Perdiccas' death and the transfer of the regency to Antipater has been seen as marking the end "for the empire as Alexander had envisioned it", as Perdiccas was not only quite close to Alexander but, like Alexander, had chosen to centre the empire at Babylon.{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=183. Alexander wanted to structure his empire in Asia, hence the administrative capital in Babylon. Antipater, once having gained the kings, returned them to Macedon, and thereafter Alexander's cross continental empire was split, and was never again held by a single Macedonian ruler}} Classicist [[Robin Waterfield]] believes that since Perdiccas represented direct succession from Alexander himself, his assassination was a "momentous step".{{sfn|Waterfield|2011|p=64}}

Perdiccas' motives are debated, though he is typically held to have acted from ambition. Some, such as Romm, believe he may have acted out of a desire to protect Alexander IV and maintain the unity of Alexander's empire.{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=56}} Anson disbelieves this, citing Perdiccas' duplicitous communications with the Aetolian League against Antipater.{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=57}} Whether for ambition or loyalty, it is agreed that Perdiccas sought to "hold Alexander's legacy intact".{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=80}}{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=183}} The historian [[William Woodthorpe Tarn|W. W. Tarn]] wrote that "Perdiccas ... was a brave and good soldier; he was probably loyal to Alexander's house, and meant to keep the empire together; but he saw that someone must exercise power, and he meant it to be himself".{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=153, citing Tarn CAH VI, 462}} The regime that succeeded Perdiccas following the Partition of Triparadisus lasted only a few years, shorter than Perdiccas' regency.{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=83}}

Historian [[Waldemar Heckel]]'s view is that "Perdiccas' career is an unfortunate tale of lofty ideals combined with excessive ambition and political myopia", but also that Perdiccas' attempts at keeping Alexander's empire united are "to be admired" and "suggests that he understood Alexander's policies".{{sfn|Anson|2014|p=57}}{{sfn|Heckel|2016|p=169}} In summary, Heckel says he was "a great but flawed man, a victim of his own success and the envy of others".{{sfn|Heckel|2016|pp=161, 183}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
===Ancient sources===
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book |author=Arrian|author-link=Arrian of Nicomedia|title=The Anabasis of Alexander|url=https://www.gutenberg.org/files/46976/46976-h/46976-h.htm|via=gutenberg.org}}
* {{Cite book |author=Plutarch |author-link=Plutarch|chapter=Life of Eumenes |title=Parallel Lives |chapter-url=https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Eumenes*.html |series=Loeb Classical Library |year=1919 |orig-year=2nd century AD |volume=8 |translator-first=Bernadotte |translator-last=Perrin |oclc=40115288 |via=LacusCurtius |ref={{harvid|Plut. ''Eum.''}}}}
* {{Cite book |author=Diodorus |chapter=Books 17, 18, 19 |chapter-url=https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Diodorus_Siculus/home.html |author-link=Diodorus Siculus |title=Library of History |translator-last=Perrin |translator-first=Bernadotte |year=1947 |orig-year=1st century BC |volume=9 |publisher= |isbn= |via=LacusCurtius |series=Loeb Classical Library |location= |ref={{harvid|Diod.}}}}
* {{cite book |author=Cornelius Nepos |author-link=Cornelius Nepos |year=1929 |orig-year= |title=Excellentium imperatorum vitae (De Viris Illustribus)|url=https://www.attalus.org/translate/nepos18.html |translator-last=Rolfe |translator-first=J.C. |ref={{harvid|Nep.}} |via=Attalus.org}}
* {{cite book |author=Photius |author-link=Photius|title=Bibliotheca or Myrobiblion |title-link=Bibliotheca (Photius) |chapter=92. [Arrian, Continuation] |chapter-url=https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/photius_03bibliotheca.htm#91|via=tertullian.org |ref={{harvid|Phot.}}}}
* {{cite book |author=Justinus |author-link=Justin (historian)|title=Epitome of Pompeius Trogus' Philippic Histories |title-link=Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus |chapter=Book 13-14 |chapter-url=https://www.attalus.org/translate/justin1.html#14.1|via=Attalus.org |translator-first=J.S. |year=1853 |translator-last=Watson |ref={{harvid|Just.}}}}{{refend}}

===Modern sources===
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book |last=Anson |first=Edward M. |title=Alexander's Heirs: The Age of the Successors |year=2014 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=9781444339628}}
* {{Cite book |last=Anson |first=Edward M. |title=Eumenes of Cardia: a Greek among Macedonians |volume=383 |year=2015 |publisher=Brill |edition=2nd |isbn=978-9004297159}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Atkinson |first1=J. E. |title=Curtius Rufus: Histories of Alexander the Great, Book 10 |last2=Yardley |first2=J. C. |year=2009 |publisher=Oxford University Press |edition=2nd |isbn=9780199557622}}
* {{cite book |last=Austin |first=M. M. |year=1994 |title=The Hellenistic World from Alexander to the Roman Conquest: a Selection of Ancient Sources in Translation |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=0-521-29666-8}}
* {{cite book |last=Badian |first=Ernst |year=2012 |title=Collected Papers on Alexander the Great |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9780203125267 |author-link=Ernst Badian}}
* {{Cite book |last=Bosworth |first=A. B. |title=The Legacy of Alexander: Politics, Warfare, and Propaganda under the Successors |date=2005 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780198153061}}
* {{Cite book |last=Baynham |first=Elizabeth |chapter= Bosworth on Alexander and the Iranians Revisted: Alexander's Marriages to Persian Brides at Susa: A Study of Arrian, Anabasis 7.4.4-8 |editor1=Frances Pownall |editor2=Sulochana R. Asirvatham |editor3=Sabine Müller |title=The Courts of Philip II and Alexander the Great: Monarchy and Power in Ancient Macedonia |publisher=Walter de Gruyter |year=2022 |pages=149–168 |isbn=978-3-11-062240-9 }}
* {{Cite book |last=Demandt |first=Alexander |author-link=Alexander Demandt |title=Alexander der Grosse. Leben und Legende |trans-title=Alexander the Great. Life and Legend |date=2013 |edition=Anniversary |orig-year=1st pub. 2009 |language=German |publisher=C.H. Beck |isbn=978-3-406-64431-3}}
* {{cite book |last=Green |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Green (historian) |year=1990 |title=Alexander to Actium |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=0-520-05611-6 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/alexandertoactiu0000gree/page/3 3–15]}}
* {{Cite book |last=Heckel |first=Waldemar |title=Who's Who in the Age of Alexander the Great: Prosopography of Alexander's Empire |publisher=Blackwell Publishing |year=2006 |isbn=9781405112109 |author-link=Waldemar Heckel}}
* {{cite book |last=Heckel |first=Waldemar |title=Alexander's Marshals: A Study of the Makedonian Aristocracy and the Politics of Military Leadership |year=2016 |publisher=Routledge, Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781138934696}}
* {{Cite book |last=Heckel |first=Waldemar |chapter= Storm Clouds over the Three Hellenistic Courts: Observations on the Life and Death of Ptolemy Ceraunus |editor1=Frances Pownall |editor2=Sulochana R. Asirvatham |editor3=Sabine Müller |title=The Courts of Philip II and Alexander the Great: Monarchy and Power in Ancient Macedonia |publisher=Walter de Gruyter |year=2022 |pages=33–56 |isbn=978-3-11-062240-9 }}
* {{Cite book |last=Hughes |first=Tristan |title=The Perdiccas Years, 323–320 BC |publisher=Pen & Sword Military |year=2022 |isbn=978-1-52677-511-5 }}
* {{Cite book |last=Roisman |first=Joseph |title=Alexander's Veterans and the Early Wars of the Successors |publisher=University of Texas Press |year=2012 |isbn=9780292735965}}
* {{Cite book |last=Romm |first=James |title=Ghost on the Throne |publisher=Alfred A. Knoff: Random House |year=2011 |isbn=9780307701503}}
* {{Cite book |last=Rowson |first=Alex |title=The Young Alexander: The Making of Alexander the Great |publisher=William Collins |location=London |year=2022 |isbn=978-0-00-828439-8 }}
* {{Cite book |last=Waterfield |first=Robin |title=Dividing the Spoils |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2011 |isbn=9780195395235
|author-link=Robin Waterfield}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |last=Rathmann |first=Michael |title=Perdikkas zwischen 323 und 320. Nachlassverwalter des Alexanderreiches oder Autokrat? |trans-title=Perdiccas between 323 and 320. Administrator of Alexander's empire or autocrat? |date=2005 |language=German |publisher=[[Austrian Academy of Sciences]] |isbn=978-3-7001-3503-6}}

==External links==
{{EB1911 poster | Perdiccas}}
* {{cite web | url=https://www.livius.org/pen-pg/perdiccas/perdiccas.htm | title=Perdiccas | website=Livius.org | first=Jona | last=Lendering | author-link=Jona Lendering | access-date=26 March 2020 | archive-date=28 April 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428164610/http://www.livius.org/pen-pg/perdiccas/perdiccas.htm | url-status=dead }}
* {{cite web | url=http://virtualreligion.net/iho/perdiccas.html | first=Mahlon H. | last=Smith | title=Perdiccas | website=Into His Own | publisher=American Theological Library Association | year=2008}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Alexander the Great|Alexander III]]|as=King}}
{{s-ttl|title=Regent of Macedon|years=323&ndash;320 BC}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Peithon]] {{Nobold|and}} [[Arrhidaeus]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Armenian kings}}
{{MacedonKings}}
{{Diadochi}}
{{Alexander's Generals}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:350s BC births]]
[[Category:320s BC deaths]]
[[Category:4th-century BC Greek people]]
[[Category:4th-century BC regents]]
[[Category:Regents of Macedonia (ancient kingdom)]]
[[Category:Ancient Macedonian generals]]
[[Category:Generals of Alexander the Great]]
[[Category:Ancient Orestians]]
[[Category:Trierarchs of Nearchus' fleet]]
[[Category:Ancient Macedonian murder victims]]
[[Category:4th-century BC Macedonians]]
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]