323 BCE

/11 June – In Babylon, Alexander the Great dies, ten days after being taken ill after a prolonged banquet and drinking bout. Diogenes, the philosopher he met years before, when he was just about to set out on his conquests, allegedly dies on the exact same day. Some Greek cities, including Athens, revolt against the Macedonian regent, Antipater, following the news of Alexander's death. Athens' actions are incited by the speeches of the Athenian general Leosthenes and the Athenian orator Hypereides. Joined by cities in central and south Greece, the Athenians defeat Antipater in battle. They force him to take refuge in Lamia, where he is besieged for several months by the Greek allies. Philip controls Bactria and Sogdiana.

In the 320s BC, the 4th century BC.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Taxiles and Porus are to rule over their kingdoms in India;source
  • The Partition of Babylon sets out the division of the territories conquered by Alexander the Great between his generals. The partition is a result of a compromise, essentially brokered by Eumenes, following a conflict of opinion between the party of Meleager, who wishes to give full power to Philip III (the illegitimate son of King Philip II of Macedon by Philinna of Larissa), and the party of Perdiccas, who wishes to wait for the birth of the heir of Alexander and his wife, Roxana (the future Alexander IV) to give him the throne under the control of a regent.source
  • Following Alexander the Great's death, the Athenians recall Demosthenes from exile and provide the money to pay his fine.source
  • Sibyrtius governs Arachosia and Gedrosia;source
  • Lysimachus becomes governor of Thrace.source
  • Antigonus gaining the governorship of Pamphylia and Lycia;source
  • Stasanor rules in Aria and Drangiana;source
  • Tlepolemus is left in charge of Carmania;source

Conflict & Security

  • Some Greek cities, including Athens, revolt against the Macedonian regent, Antipater, following the news of Alexander's death. Athens' actions are incited by the speeches of the Athenian general Leosthenes and the Athenian orator Hypereides. Joined by cities in central and south Greece, the Athenians defeat Antipater in battle. They force him to take refuge in Lamia, where he is besieged for several months by the Greek allies.source
  • Laomedon governing Syria and Phoenicia;source
  • Phrataphernes rules Parthia and Hyrcania;source
  • Alexander orders demolition of the ziggurat at Etemenanki.source
  • Arcesilas rules northern Mesopotamia.source
  • Archon of Pella controls Babylonia; andsource
  • The Greek philosopher and scientist, Aristotle, faces a strong anti-Macedonian reaction in Athens following the death of Alexander the Great. Aristotle is accused of impiety by the Athenians. However, he escapes to Chalcis in Euboea.source

Religion & Belief

  • Eumenes of Cardia as governor of Cappadocia and Paphlagonia; andsource

Science & Discovery

  • Alexander's father-in-law Oxyartes rules Gandhara;source

Health & Medicine

  • Philip controls Bactria and Sogdiana;source

Culture & Society

  • Theophrastus, who has been studying in Athens under Aristotle, becomes the head of the Lyceum, the academy in Athens founded by Aristotle, when Aristotle is forced to leave Athens.source

Births

  • Alexander IV of Macedon, son of Alexander the Great and Roxana (died 309 BC).source

Deaths

  • 10 June/11 June – In Babylon, Alexander the Great dies, ten days after being taken ill after a prolonged banquet and drinking bout. Diogenes, the philosopher he met years before, when he was just about to set out on his conquests, allegedly dies on the exact same day.source
  • June 13 – Alexander the Great, king of Macedonia and conqueror of the Persian Empire died in Babylon (born 356 BC)source
  • Diogenes of Sinope, Greek philosopher (born c. 412 BC)source
  • Meleager, Macedonian general who has served with Alexander the Greatsource
  • Meleager and about 300 of his partisans are killed by forces loyal to Perdiccas. The first wife of Alexander, Roxana, arranges for Alexander's second wife, Stateira II (Barsine), to be killed.source