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KINGS of MACEDON. Philip III Arrhidaios. 323-317 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25.5mm, 17.21 g, 2h). In the name and types of Alexander III. Amphipolis mint. Struck under Antipater, circa 322-320 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; in left field, Athena Promachos standing right. Price 109; Troxell, Studies, Issue G2. Area of faint iridescent toning on obverse, underlying luster. Choice EF.
Born circa 359 BC, Arrhidaios was the illegitimate son of Philip II, king of Macedon, by a Thessalian dancer named Philinna. According to Plutarch, a poisoning attempt by Philip's jealous wife, Olympias, left Arrhidaios mentally compromised and subject to epileptic fits. His half-brother, Alexander III the Great, was quite fond of him and took him on all of his campaigns, although this was also a way of making sure he did not become a political pawn. When Alexander died in Babylon in June, 323 BC, a council of generals hammered out a compromise by which Arrhidaios was crowned as Philip III, to reign jointly with the infant son of the conqueror, Alexander IV. However, neither had any real power, this being held by a succession of regents. The new king proved as compliant and simple-minded as the generals had hoped, but in 320 BC, Arrhidaios married a niece of Philip II's, Eurydike, who had enough ambition for the both of them. Eurydike plunged into the complex and deadly politics of the Diadochi. In 317 BC, she threw her support behind Kassander's successful bid to become regent. Kassander left her and Arrhidaios in charge of Macedon while he went on campaign in Asia. However, Alexander's mother Olympias raised her own army and invaded Macedon, capturing and ultimately executing the royal couple. The coinage of Philip III Arrhidaios is clearly based on that of Alexander, showing no innovations except for the name.
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