The Division of the Realm

The day after Alexander died, generals sat around the empty throne where Perdiccas had laid the signet ring. Alexander's half-brother Arridaeus was weak-minded; his son was an infant born after his death. They decided both should be named successors with four generals as regents. The realm was divided into thirty-three provinces. Alexander had predicted bloodshed would follow his funeral—it did. Each general wanted to be king in his own right. Perdiccas guarded the infant and Roxana. Antipater put Arridaeus on the Macedonian throne. Generals claimed new rights and fought each other. For years Perdiccas tried to reach Macedon to place Alexander's son on the throne.