Cassander (c. 350–297 BC)

King of Macedonia, son of Antipater. In the struggles for power over the Macedonian empire which followed the death of Alexander the Great, Cassander joined other Diacochi against Antigonus and assumed the title of king 306 BC. His control over Macedonia was secured when Antigonus was defeated at the Battle of Ipsus 301 BC.

When Antipater appointed Polyperchon his successor as regent of Macedonia 319, Cassander declared war on Polyperchon. Aided by Ptolemy I and Antigonus, he took Athens and other Greek cities and invaded Macedonia. He arranged for the murder of Alexander's mother, Olympias, and then killed Alexander's widow, Roxana, and her son. Cassander was the founder of the city of Thessalonika and he rebuilt Thebes, which had been destroyed after a rebellion against Alexander.