ABSTRACT
When Alexander headed east in 334 he entrusted to Antipater the security of the Macedonian kingdom and management of affairs with the Greek states. Antipater, son of Iolaus, from Palioura is one of the principal figures in Macedonian history in the later fourth century. The Macedonian rank and file had been successful in holding onto what they regarded as their traditional monarchy. But the weakness of Alexander's Argead heirs opened up a high-stakes power game among the many capable and ambitious generals who had survived his hard campaigns: his Successors, or the Diadochi. In June 323 Antipater was in Macedonia keeping a close watch for the king on affairs at Athens. The Athenians passed a decree, proposed by Demades, condemning Demosthenes to death. Demosthenes had been exiled earlier for accepting a bribe from Harpalus, had gone only as far as Megara, and was recalled during the Lamian War.
