Alexander IV of Macedon, also known as Alexander Aegus, was a historical figure who held the title of king of Macedon. Born in 323 BCE, he was the posthumous son of Alexander the Great, the renowned Macedonian king who had carved out one of the largest empires in ancient history. Alexander IV ascended to the throne at a young age, following the death of his father.
As the ruler of Macedon, Alexander IV possessed great power and influence, although much of his reign was under the regency of his mother, Roxana. The regency period was marked by political instability and power struggles, as various factions sought to control the throne and assert their authority over the young king.
Tragically, Alexander IV's life was cut short when he was only 14 years old. He was assassinated, along with his mother, by Cassander, a former general of his father's who aspired to become the sole ruler of Macedon. This act effectively ended the Argead dynasty, to which Alexander IV belonged, and further contributed to the disintegration of the empire his father had established.
Alexander IV of Macedon is remembered as a figure caught in the tumultuous aftermath of his father's death, unable to assert his own authority and meet the expectations placed upon him. His reign represents a significant turning point in ancient history, symbolizing the collapse of a once-mighty empire and the beginning of the Hellenistic period, during which the Greek city-states and kingdoms flourished.
