Cassander

Family: Macedonian · Role: king · First appears: Book 1 · Chapter 6

In Book 1, Chapter 6, Cassander is identified as the son of Antipater (Macedonian statesman). Though Antigonus (father of Demetrius) had helped him preserve his rule over the Macedonians, Cassander later fought against his former benefactor. Antigonus died after prolonged wars against Cassander and other rivals. Cassander also joined the war at Ptolemy (son of Lagus)’s urging.

By Book 1, Chapter 10, Cassander and his sons had ruled after Aridæus, and Alexander (son of Cassander) is named as his son. In Chapter 11, Cassander marched against Pyrrhus (son of Æacides) soon after Pyrrhus arrived, and later prevented Æacides from returning to Epirus. Philip (brother of Cassander) is identified as his brother; in Chapter 15, Plistarchus is also described as his brother. In Chapter 25, Cassander besieged Olympias, who was betrayed by the multitude, and, when he was king, secured the appointment of Demetrius the son of Phanostratus as king over the Athenians. Lachares is also mentioned in connection with a plot to become king. In Chapter 26, Olympiodorus secured Ætolian aid, helping Athens avoid war with Cassander.

Not many years after Alexander (son of Olympias) stripped Thebes of its inhabitants, Cassander rebuilt the city; he restored it again after the Platæans’ exile. In Book 8, Chapter 7, he married Thessalonica, daughter of Philip. In Book 9, Chapter 7, Cassander ordered Olympias to be stoned to death and poisoned Hercules (son of Alexander) and Alexander his son by Roxana. His sons included Philip the eldest, who died of consumption, and Antipater the next, who killed their mother Thessalonica. Cassander himself died swollen with dropsy and eaten by worms.

In Book 10, Cassander’s siege of Elatea was relieved by Olympiodorus, who also rendered his blockade ineffective; the Elateans repulsed Cassander and the Macedonian army.