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Partition of Babylon:
The Partition of Babylon designates the attribution of the territories by
Alexander the Great between his generals, soon after his death in 323.
The partition was a result of a compromise, essentially brokered by Eumenes,
following a conflict of opinion between the party of Meleager, who wished to
give full power to Philip III of Macedon, and the party of Perdiccas, who
wished to wait for the birth of the heir of Alexander (the future Alexander 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 allotted Syria, 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 between Peithon (who received the greater
portion) and Atropates (father-in-law of Perdiccas)] :
- Susiana was assigned to Scynus [this is thought to be an error as Arrian says
Susiana went to Antigenes]
- and the Greater Phrygia to Antigonus, the son of Philip.
- Nearchus received Lycia and Pamphylia;
- Cassander, Caria;
- and Menander, Lydia.
- The Lesser Phrygia fell to Leonnatus;
- Thrace, and the coasts of the Pontic sea, to Lysimachus;
- Cappadocia and Paphlagonia were given to Eumenes.
The chief command of the camp fell to Seleucus the son of Antiochus.
Cassander, the son of Antipater, 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.
- The Arachosians and Gedrosians were assigned to Sibyrtius;
- the Drancae and Arci to Stasanor.
- Amyntas was allotted the Bactrians,
- Scythaeus, the Sogdians,
- Nicanor, the Parthians,
- Philip, the Hyrcanians,
- Phrataphernes, the Armenians,
- Tlepolemus, the Persians,
- Peucestas, the Babylonians,
- Archon, the Pelasgians,
- Arcesilaus, Mesopotamia."
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