In the name and types of Alexander III
Struck under Menes, with Perdikkas as regent
Tyre, dated RY 29 of Azemilkos = 321/0 BC
Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ to right, -|O (Phoenician ‘K = ‘Ozmilk [king of Tyre]) above ||| ||| =/||| (Phoenician date [29]) in left field.
Price 3275 (Ake); Newell, Dated 32 (same); DCA 737; HGC 3.1, 941 (Alexander IV). 17.03g, 26mm, 6h.
Within two years Perdikkas went from being the head of the largest empire in the world to being assassinated by his own troops. How did this happen?
Personally, from my interpretation of the history, I believe it was from an inability to compromise. Take for example his annihilation of a number of cities in Cappadocia – namely Laranda and Isaura Palaia. Did he really have to destroy them (yes, I know Isaura Palaia destroyed themselves)?
Alexander the Great conquered such a wide territory by allowing cities and rulers to keep the status quo as long as they submitted to him. Most did. The few who didn’t – those ones were annihilated – though there were some that started as sieges and then capitulated without repercussions.
Perdikkas, though, seemed to have been non-negotiable in his demands. This quickly alienated most of the other players. On the other hand, it may have already been a lost cause. Top generals such as Antigonos and Ptolemy probably had no intentions to submit to any successor. Perdikkas just hastened the process.
His worst folly, of course, was the ill-fated crossing of the Nile. When the war elephants were sent over, they dug up a tremendous amount of silt, thus deepening the river and resulting in the drowning of roughly 2000 soldiers. Adding insult to injury, many of these were eaten by crocodiles. The army was so scarred from the encounter that they murdered Perdikkas, then accepted aid from Ptolemy.
In some respects, Perdikkas could have paid better attention to Alexander the Great‘s actions, since he desperately wanted to imitate them. Alexander wasn’t a fan of war elephants in the first place. He owned them but rarely used them, as in battle they tended to kill as many friends as foes, due to their ability to be spooked. He also preferred to cross deep rivers in small rafts or boats.
Sadly, Perdikkas failed both prerequisites for inheriting the empire: Handling Vassals 101 and River Crossings 101. With his death, any realistic chance of one man running the empire was done.
Approximate birth of Perdikkas.
October 25
Alexander the Great becomes King of Macedon when his father, Philip II, is murdered at the wedding of his sister Kleopatra and Alexander I Molossos. Perdikkas helps chase down and kill the assassin.
Alexander the Great demolishes Thebes after a rebellion. Perdikkas is severely wounded in the battle. Orchomenos and Thespiai fight on the side of Alexander.
May
The Battle of the Granicus, during which Alexander the Great defeated the Persians under Darius III, and after which Adramytteion and Kaunos come under his control. Kalas participates with the Thessalian cavalry under Parmenion. Perdikkas serves on the right.
December
Alexander III is victorious at the Battle of the Persian Gate. The battalion of Perdikkas is crucial in the matter.
Kleitos the White, as taxiarch, accompanies Perdikkas and Hephaistion to the Indos River.
January
Peithon and Perdikkas accompany Alexander the Great against the Mallians.
Perdikkas marries Atropates, the daughter of the Persian satrap of Medea, at Susa.
Antigonos Monophthalmos refuses to aid Eumenes, which angers Perdikkas.
Eumenes is instructed by Perdikkas to take the satrapy from Ariarathes I.
Seleukos I Nikator heads the Companion Cavalry under Perdikkas.
June 11
Alexander the Great dies in Babylon, sparking the Wars of the Diadochi among his generals. Before dying, he gives his signet ring to Perdikkas.
September
Kynane of Macedon hatches a plan to marry her daughter, Adea Eurydike, to Philip III. She is killed by Alketas, the brother of Perdikkas, in the process, but soldiers are so disgusted at the murder that they escort Adea to Babylon.
Dionysios puts up a statue of joy in Herakleia Pontika after the death of Alexander. Exiles attempt to persuade Perdikkas to remove him, but through flattery he is able to remain in power.
Perdikkas besieges Isaura Palaia. Its inhabitants set it on fire and burn their wives and children alive rather than submit them to slavery.
Perdikkas invades Cappadocia, captures Ariarathes I, then impales him and his followers.
Kleomenes of Naukratis put to death by Ptolemy I on suspicion of favoring Perdikkas.
Menander defects from Perdikkas to Antigonos Monophthalmos.
Laranda is destroyed by Perdikkas.
Philoxenos appointed by Perdikkas to replace Philotas as satrap of Cilicia.
July
September
Adea Eurydike demands a share of the regency of Macedon after the death of Perdikkas.