What happened to Greece after Alexander the Great died?

What happened to Greece after Alexander the Great died?

After Alexander the Great's death in 323 B.C., Greece and Macedonia came under the control of the Antigonid dynasty, one of the powerful Hellenistic kingdoms formed by his generals.

The Immediate Aftermath: Division by the Diadochi

Alexander the Great's unexpected death in 323 B.C. left a vast empire without a clear successor. His most influential generals, known as the Diadochi (meaning "successors"), soon began to divide his conquered lands among themselves. This period of intense conflict and power struggles ultimately led to the fragmentation of the Alexandrian empire.

Greece's Fate: Under Antigonid Control

Among the newly formed kingdoms, Greece and its traditional heartland of Macedonia became the domain of the Antigonid dynasty. This marked the beginning of a new era for Greece, often referred to as the Hellenistic Period, characterized by the rule of these powerful monarchies rather than independent city-states.

The Major Hellenistic Dynasties

The division of Alexander's empire resulted in the establishment of three predominant and powerful dynasties that would shape the political landscape for centuries:

• The Antigonid Dynasty: Controlling Greece and Macedonia.
• The Seleucid Dynasty: Ruling over a vast territory encompassing Syria and Persia.
• The Ptolemaic Dynasty: Established in Egypt.

These dynastic kingdoms were central to the Hellenistic Period, influencing culture, trade, and politics across the Eastern Mediterranean.

Overview of Hellenistic Dynasties

To better understand the territorial divisions, here's a summary of the three main dynasties and their regions:

For more detailed information on this transformative era, you can explore the history of Hellenistic Greece.