Alexander V
Ἀλέξανδρος
King of Macedonia
ReignAutumn 297 - Autumn 294
PredecessorPhilip IV
Bornc. 320 BC
DiedLate 294 BC (aged c. 26)
Larissa
SpouseLysandra
HouseAntipatrid dynasty
FatherCassander
MotherThessalonike
ReligionAncient Greek Religion

Alexander V (Greek: Ἀλέξανδρος Εʹ ὁ Μακεδών; died late 294 BC) was the second son of Cassander and Thessalonike of Macedon, who was a half-sister of Alexander the Great.[1] He ruled as king of Macedon along with his brother Antipater I from the autumn of 297 to autumn 294 BC.

When Antipater murdered their mother and ousted him from power, Alexander turned to Pyrrhus and Demetrius I for help in recovering his throne. To the former he promised, as the price of his alliance, the land on the sea-coast of Macedonia, together with the provinces of Ambracia, Acarnania, and Amfilochia.[2] Demetrius, according to Plutarch, arrived after Pyrrhus had retired, and when matters had been settled between Alexander V and Antipater. Demetrius was now an unwelcome visitor, and Alexander V, while he received him with all outward civility, is said by Plutarch to have laid a plan for murdering him at a banquet, a plan which was stymied by the precautions of Demetrius.[3] The next day, Demetrius took his departure, and Alexander attended him as far as Thessaly. Here, at Larissa, Alexander V went to dine with Demetrius, and, taking no guards with him, was assassinated, together with his friends who attended him.[4][5] He and his brother were the last kings of Macedon to be descended from Perdiccas I.

References

  1. ^ Elder, Edward (1867). "Alexander". In William Smith (ed.). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. Vol. 1. Boston: Little, Brown and Company. p. 115.
  2. ^ Plutarch, Pyrrhus p. 386, b
  3. ^ Plutarch, Demetrius 906, a. b
  4. ^ Justin, xvi. 1
  5. ^ Diodorus Siculus, xxi. Exc. 7
Alexander V of Macedon Antipatrid dynastyBorn: Unknown Died: 294 BC Preceded byPhilip IV King of Macedon 297–294 BC Succeeded byDemetrius I