Kings of Macedon. Amphipolis. Kassander 306-297 BC. In the name and types of Alexander III
Tetradrachm AR

17 mm, 16,68 g

Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; in left field, Λ above torch; below throne, M above star.

Very Fine

Price 480; Ehrhardt 22.

Kassander was a prominent figure in the tumultuous period following Alexander the Great's death. Born around 350 BC, he was a Macedonian nobleman and military commander. After Alexander's demise, Kassander played a crucial role in the Wars of the Diadochi, a series of conflicts among Alexander's generals for control over his empire. Kassander's most significant influence emerged in the struggle for succession. He married Alexander's half-sister, Thessalonike, and took control of Macedonia. As a shrewd strategist, he initially supported other Diadochi while consolidating his power. Kassander's rivalry with Roxana, Alexander's widow, and his desire to secure the future for his own descendants led to the murder of Alexander IV and his mother. This act further fueled the tensions among the Diadochi. Ultimately, Kassander's determination to establish a lasting dynasty led him to establish a strong centralized rule in Macedonia. His descendants continued to rule for decades after his death. While Kassander's actions contributed to the division and fragmentation of Alexander's empire, his focus on securing his own power and lineage was instrumental in shaping the post-Alexander era and Macedonian politics.