The Shadow of Greatness: The Generals of Alexander the Great
The year was 323 BCE, and Babylon was shrouded in an uneasy stillness. The great conqueror, Alexander the Great, lay on his deathbed. Surrounding him were his most trusted generals, men whose names would echo through history: Ptolemy, Seleucus, Antigonus, Cassander, and Perdiccas. These were not merely warriors; they were architects of an empire, bound by loyalty and ambition. As Alexander’s breaths grew shallow, the room buzzed with tension. "To whom do you leave your empire?" one of the generals dared to ask. Alexander’s reply was as enigmatic as ever: "To the strongest." The Beginning of a Rivalry The generals were stunned. Alexander’s empire stretched from Greece to India, a vast and diverse realm that now lacked a clear heir. In that moment, unity gave way to ambition. Ptolemy, the sharp-minded and pragmatic general, was the first to act. He seized control of Egypt, recognizing its wealth and strategic importance. "Let the others fig...