- Partition of Babylon
The Partition of Babylon designates the attribution of the territories by
Alexander the Great between his generals, soon after his death in323 BCE . The partition was a result of a compromise, essentially brokered byEumenes , following a conflict of opinion between the party of Meleager, who wished to give full power toPhilip III of Macedon , and the party ofPerdiccas , who wished to wait for the birth of the heir of Alexander (the futureAlexander IV of Macedon ) to give him the throne under the control of a regent. Under the agreement, Philip III became king, but Perdiccas, as a regent, ruled.Perdiccas , as regent, managed the repartition of the territories between the former generals and satraps of Alexander. Meleager and about 300 of his partisans were eliminated by Perdiccas soon after.Justin describes in detail how the various territories were distributed:
:-"In the first place Egypt, with part of Africa and Arabia, fell by lot to Ptolemy, whom Alexander, for his merit, had raised from the condition of a common soldier; :- and Cleomenes, who had built Alexandria, was directed to put the province into his hands. :-
Laomedon of Mytilene was allottedSyria , which bordered on Ptolemy's province; :- Philotas,Cilicia ; :- and Philo,Illyria . :-Atropates was set over the Greater Media; the father-in-law of Perdiccas over Less(er Media).
[this is an error: Media was divided betweenPeithon (who received the greater portion) andAtropates (father-in-law of Perdiccas)] :-Susiana was assigned to Scynus [this is thought to be an error asArrian says Susiana went to Antigenes] :- and the GreaterPhrygia to Antigonus, the son of Philip. :-Nearchus receivedLycia andPamphylia ; :-Cassander ,Caria ; :- and Menander,Lydia . :- The LesserPhrygia fell toLeonnatus ; :-Thrace , and the coasts of the Pontic sea, toLysimachus ; :-Cappadocia andPaphlagonia were given toEumenes .:The chief command of the camp fell to Seleucus the son of
Antiochus .Cassander , the son ofAntipater , was made commander of the king's guards and attendants.:In Ulterior Bactriana, and the countries of India, the present governors were allowed to retain their office. :- The region between the rivers
Hydaspes and Indus,Taxiles received. :- To the colonies settled in India, Python, the son of Agenor, was sent.:- Of Paropamise, and the borders of mount Caucasus,Extarches had the command. :- TheArachosia ns andGedrosia ns were assigned toSibyrtius ; :- theDrancae andArci toStasanor . :- Amyntas was allotted theBactria ns, :-Scythaeus , theSogdia ns, :- Nicanor, theParthia ns, :- Philip, theHyrcania ns, :-Phrataphernes , theArmenia ns, :- Tlepolemus, thePersians , :-Peucestas , theBabylonia ns, :- Archon, thePelasgia ns, :- Arcesilaus,Mesopotamia .": Justin, Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus [http://www.forumromanum.org/literature/justin/english/trans13.html XIII-4]This partition was followed by a second one, the
Partition of Triparadisus , in321 BCE Fact|date=July 2007.
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