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Antigonus I Monophthalmus

Background

Antigonus I Monophthalmus (382–301 BC), known in Greek as Ἀντίγονος ὁ Μονόφθαλμος was an experienced Macedonian general and soldier that fought and served under both Philip II of Macedon and Alexander III the Great. Following the death of Alexander the Great he was a major figure in the Wars of the Diadochi and declared his own kingdom in 306 BC.

Antigonus originally served in the army of Philip II of Macedon and therefore had a longstanding loyalty to the Macedonian dynasty.

Alexander the Great's Campaign

See Alexander the Great's Campaign

Under Alexander the Great the territory of Phyrgia was given to Antigonus I in 333 BC and he was given the command to defend the supply lines for Alexander's conquest, an extremely important task. He was responsible for providing reinforcements, food, weapons and other equipment from Macedon, Thrace, and Greece while the military was on a conquest of the Achaemenid Empire.

Following Alexanders victory at the Battle of Issus the Persian general named Memnon who was in control of Rhodes attempted to assault Antigonus and destroy these supply lines so Alexander would be forced to cease his campaign. Over the course of three major battles though Antigonus soundly defeated the Persian forces and Alexander was free to begin the Siege of Tyre and later the liberation of Egypt and Babylonia.

He would continue to serve as a satrap all throughout Alexander's conquest of the rest of the Achaemenid Empire.

Wars of the Diadochi

See Wars of the Diadochi

Following the Partition of Babylon the officers and successors of Alexander divided his empire up in 323 BC. In addition to continuing his rule over Phrygia he also gained Lycia and Pamphylia from Perdiccas who was the regent of the empire. The first conflicts would arise as a result of this agreement as Antigonus refused to help Eumenes take hold of the territories of Paphlagonia and Cappadocia.

Death & Legacy

Antigonus I would later be defeated once and for all at the Battle of Ipsus in 310 BC when he faced off against the combined forces of Seleucus and Lysimachus. He would also die at the age of eighty-one during this engagement after by being hit with a javelin. With his death all the ideas of reuniting the empire also died with him.

Following the final partition the victors established the final remaining kingdoms and agreed to respect each others sovereignty. While the independent kingdoms that inhabited the shell of Alexander's former republic would persist for a period of time they would eventually be conquered by external invasions from both the Roman Republic and the Parthian Empire.

Antigonus I was survived by his son Demetrius who took control of Macedon in 294 BC and managed to hold it off and on until 168 BC when the Roman Republic annexed the territory following the Battle of Pydna (168 BC).

Antigonus I Monophthalmus, also known as Antigonus the One-Eyed, was a prominent Macedonian general under Alexander the Great and one of the most significant figures in the early Hellenistic period. He founded the Antigonid dynasty and played a crucial role in the Wars of the Diadochi, the conflicts among Alexander's successors. His life and career were marked by his ambition, military prowess, and political acumen.

Early Life and Career

Background and Early Service:
- Antigonus was born around 382 BCE in Macedon. He gained the nickname "Monophthalmus" (One-Eyed) due to the loss of an eye in battle, though the exact circumstances of this injury are not well documented.
- He served as a general under Philip II of Macedon and later under his son, Alexander the Great. Antigonus was one of Alexander's most trusted commanders and played a key role in the conquests of the Persian Empire.
Role under Alexander:
- During Alexander's campaigns, Antigonus was appointed satrap (governor) of Phrygia in 333 BCE. He successfully managed this strategically important region and participated in various military operations.
- His contributions included maintaining order in his satrapy and providing support during Alexander's broader military campaigns.

Wars of the Diadochi

Struggle for Power:
- After Alexander's death in 323 BCE, his vast empire was left without a clear successor, leading to the Wars of the Diadochi (Successor Wars) among his generals and satraps.
- Antigonus quickly emerged as a powerful contender. Initially, he sought to maintain control over his satrapy and expand his influence.
Military Campaigns and Alliances:
- Antigonus aligned with other influential figures like Lysimachus, Ptolemy, and Cassander to counter the ambitions of Perdiccas and later Eumenes, who were seen as threats to their power.
- He achieved several significant victories, including the defeat and execution of Eumenes in 316 BCE, consolidating his control over large parts of Asia Minor and the Near East.
Proclamation as King:
- In 306 BCE, Antigonus proclaimed himself king, a bold move that set a precedent for other Diadochi. This marked the beginning of the Antigonid dynasty.
- His son, Demetrius I Poliorcetes, shared this royal title and assisted him in his military campaigns.

Battle of Ipsus and Death

Battle of Ipsus (301 BCE):
- The Battle of Ipsus was a decisive conflict in the Wars of the Diadochi, fought in central Phrygia. Antigonus faced a coalition of rival Diadochi, including Lysimachus, Cassander, and Seleucus I Nicator.
- Despite his formidable military skills and the support of his son Demetrius, Antigonus was defeated and killed in battle. His death marked a significant shift in the balance of power among the successors of Alexander.

Legacy

Antigonid Dynasty:
- Although Antigonus I was killed at Ipsus, his son Demetrius Poliorcetes survived and continued to play a prominent role in the Hellenistic world. The Antigonid dynasty would eventually secure control over Macedon, ruling until the Roman conquest in 168 BCE.
- The dynasty is remembered for its contributions to the political and cultural landscape of the Hellenistic period.
Impact on Hellenistic Politics:
- Antigonus I Monophthalmus was a key figure in the chaotic and dynamic period following Alexander's death. His ambition and military capabilities significantly shaped the early Hellenistic period.
- His efforts to consolidate and expand his power exemplify the struggles and ambitions of Alexander's successors, who sought to carve out their own kingdoms from his vast empire.

Conclusion

Antigonus I Monophthalmus was a central figure in the Wars of the Diadochi and a founding member of the Antigonid dynasty. His military skill, political acumen, and ambitious nature drove his efforts to control significant portions of Alexander the Great's fragmented empire. Despite his ultimate defeat and death at the Battle of Ipsus, Antigonus's legacy lived on through his descendants and their continued influence in the Hellenistic world. His life and career illustrate the complexities and shifting alliances of the period following Alexander's death, highlighting the enduring impact of these early Hellenistic rulers.

Sources

Diodorus Siculus xviii., xx. 46-86; Plutarch, Demetrius, Eumenes; Nepos, Eumenes; Justin xv. 1-4. See Macedonian Empire; and Köhler, “Das Reich des Antigonos,” in the Sitzungsberichte d. Berl. Akad., 1898, p. 835 f.

1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, Volume 2

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