The Greek tetradrachm (τετράδραχμον) was the name given to the currency of Ancient Greece, equivalent to four drachmae, the ancient unit of measurement used in many Greek city-states and in many Middle Eastern kingdoms of the Hellenistic period. Alexander the Great was the legendary king of the Hellenistic Kingdom of Macedon. Born in 356 BC, he succeeded his father, Philip II, when he was just 20 years old. In just 10 years from his ascension to the throne, he built one of the largest empires of the Ancient World, as his kingdom stretched from the Adriatic Sea to the Indus River. He died in Babylon, which he intended to make the capital of his empire, in 323 BC, at just 33 years of age. After his untimely death, Alexander’s empire was divided amongst his successors, usually his generals or close family, who continued to mint Alexander coins. Antipater was one of Alexander’s successors, having had a successful military career under Alexander and his father Philip. Antipater was created regent of Macedonia and of all of Alexander’s empire in 320 BC, taking charge of Alexander’s young son Alexander IV and his disabled brother, Philip III. Antipater was struck by illness in 319 BC and died. His son Cassander was not appointed Regent, leading to a two-year battle known as the Second War of the Diadochi, of which he was the eventual successor.
To learn more about the coins of Alexander The Great, please visit our relevant blog post: An Introduction to the Coins of Alexander The Great.
