Successful Mediocrity: The Career of Polyperchon

Abstract

Justin (13.1.12–13) famously admired the qualities of Alexander’s generals, observing “For never before that time did Macedonia, or indeed any other nation, produce so rich a crop of brilliant men, men who had been picked out with such care, first by Philip and then by Alexander, that they seemed chosen less as comrades in arms than as successors to the throne” (Yardley 1994, 123–24). Like Alexander, many of the officers who marched east with him demonstrated mental toughness, political ruthlessness, and military competence. Polyperchon, son of Simmias, proved a partial exception. Though Polyperchon also acted with ruthless violence on occasion, compared to many of the other Successors, he demonstrated modest (or worse) command skills. Perhaps more striking, at moments of military and political crisis, he appeared to second guess himself or perhaps suffer a failure of nerve; neither reaction was a common or forgivable failing, on the face of it, in the Macedonian elite. Waldemar Heckel memorably judged him “a jackal among lions” (1992, 188). Other scholars have described Polyperchon in similarly slighting terms.1 Yet first Alexander—the very man Justin claims chose his leaders with such care—and later Antipater—known for his judiciousness—chose this mediocrity for critical posts. Even late in Polyperchon’s career, despite his previous failures, both Antigonus and Cassander tried to employ him. At two points in his life, Polyperchon seemed poised for greatness, yet