Olympias (c. 375–316 BC)

Macedonian queen. The daughter of the king of Epirus, she married Philip II of Macedon 357 BC, and was the mother of Alexander the Great. When Philip left her for Cleopatra, niece of Attalus, she is said to have instigated his assassination 337 BC.

She gained much influence during Alexander's reign, and after his death plotted to secure power for her grandson by killing Alexander's half-brother and successor. The Macedonian general Cassander besieged her at Pydna, and executed her on its surrender.