Babylon, the summer of 323 BC. Alexander is dying. Who will the greatest conquerer of all name as his successor? Unfortunately, he dies without naming anyone. There are six possible bodyguards of Alexander who could be named his successor. How will he be chosen? And what of his unborn child currently being carried by Roxanna?
Roxanna reaches out to the most prominent of the guards - Perdikkas. He quickly points out to her that he doesn’t regard her as his queen. She offers him the regency of the child. She also wants Alexander’s two other wives dead.
Ptolemy suggests that the army be governed by a group of four. Would that work? He also suggests that the army choose the four. Peithon declares that Macedon must have a king, which has agreement. They also agree that they will wait for the birth of Roxanna’s child, and that Perdikkas will be the regent for fourteen years. It is a compromise, but will the infantry and cavalry agree to it?
The infantry doesn’t and immediately declares Arrhidaeus king! Can Meleagros get them to change their minds? Meleagros takes advantage of the situation, and crowns a new Philip, the third of that name. As Eumenes realises, Meleagros is in reality setting himself up as regent because the new king is a half-wit.
The council of four is made up of Perdikkas, Leonnatus, both in Babylon, Antipatros in Macedon and Krateros in Cilicia. Will they work together or start to pull Alexander’s empire apart? The empire is slowly divided. Ptolemy will get Egypt. Perdikkas will stay in Babylon to oversee Asia. On the other hand, Meleagros is executed.
And so, the scheming, treachery and counter- treachery begins. What is to become of the body of Alexander in its expensive catafalque? Each leader is now for himself and war is on the horizon.
Author Robert Fabbri goes on to detail the ensuing battles for control of Alexander’s body and his empire. Lots of blood is spilled as his empire is broken apart. Fabbri based the novel on actual people and events. A thoroughly enjoyable read for fans of historical fiction.
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