Lot description:
Ancients
MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. Philip III Arrhidaeus (323-317 BC). AV stater (17mm, 8.56 gm, 11h). NGC AU 4/5 - 4/5. Lifetime issue, Phoenicia, Sidon, dated Regnal Year 16 of Abdalonymus (318/317 BC). Head of Athena right, hair flowing loose and upswept at temple, wearing necklace and triple-crested Corinthian helmet pushed back on head, long parallel crest ends, bowl decorated with coiled serpent right / ΦΙΛΙΠΠOY, Nike advancing left, wreath in outstretched right hand, stylis cradled in left arm; Π (date) in left field below wing. Price P176.
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. Alexander was thus 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. www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice
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