Kings of Macedon. Babylon. Philip III Arrhidaeus 323-317 BC. Struck under Archon, Dokimos, or Seleukos I, circa 323-318/7 BC
Tetradrachm AR

27 mm, 16,56 g

Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY, Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; M in left field, ΛY below throne.

Very Fine

Price 3692; Waggoner Issue III, dies 152/a; SNG Saroglos 635; BN J. de Morgan 1045.

Philipp III Arrhidaios became King of Macedonia from 323 to 317 BC after the death of Alexander the Great. Believed to be mentally unwell, his reign was mostly symbolic, controlled by powerful generals. Despite being considered a possible rival, there is questionable evidence that he was poisoned by Alexander's mother, Olympias. He was used as a political pawn, with Alexander safeguarding him during campaigns to prevent him from being used against the throne. After Alexander's death, Arrhidaios was chosen as king in a succession dispute, while Alexander's infant son was also crowned. He married Eurydike, a union manipulated by political forces. During the Diadochi Wars, various regents held power over him. In 317 BC, he was captured and later executed, marking the end of his reign.