Greek: MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. Philip III Arrhidaeus (323-317 BC). AR drachm (18mm, 10h). NGC Fine....

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MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. Philip III Arrhidaeus (323-317 BC). AR drachm (18mm, 10h). NGC Fine. Lifetime issue, Lampsacus, ca. 323-317 BC. Head of Heracles right, wearing lion skin headdress, paws tied before neck / ΦIΛIΠΠOY, Zeus seated left on backless throne, right leg drawn back, feet on stool, eagle in outstretched right hand, grounded scepter in left; buckle right in left field, crescent above A below strut. Price P15.

Arrhidaeus was the eldest son of Philip II and the half-brother of Alexander the Great. Despite being older than Alexander, Arrhidaeus was illegitimate: his mother a Thessalian woman outside of Philip II's marriage to Olympias. He also seemed to have mental deficiencies, what many modern scholars attribute to epilepsy. Thus, Alexander was deemed heir without contest. During Alexander's campaigns, Arrhidaeus stayed in Macedon under the watchful eye of Antipater, a general and father to Cassander. When Alexander died in 323 BC, Arrhidaeus was ultimately deemed heir as Roxana was still pregnant with Alexander's son - taking on the title Philip III Arrhidaeus. Soon after, he would marry Eurydice, an intelligent noblewoman who aimed to substantiate his rule as he was simply a figurehead to the regent Perdiccas. Yet, as the Wars of the Diadochi broke out in 322 BC, Perdiccas was killed and Antipater gained control of Arrhidaeus. He would appoint Polyperchon, an older officer, as his successor, which led Cassander, backed by Eurydice, to revolt. By 317 BC, Cassander was officially the regent to Arrhidaeus. In response, Olympias and her coalition invaded Macedon with Roxana's now young son, Alexander IV, in tow. As Alexander's biological son, Alexander IV was considered the lawful successor. With the army turning their loyalty to Alexander IV, Arrhidaeus and Eurydice were killed by Olympias. However, when Cassander returned from his campaign the following year, he had Olympias executed and would later assassinate Alexander IV - becoming king by 305 BC.

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