Gylippus vs Polyperchon

Gylippus arrived in Syracuse with a small Spartan force. He organized the Syracusan defenses and took command, countering the Athenian siege. His leadership revitalized the Syracusan resistance and turned the tide of the Sicilian Expedition.

Gylippus led the Syracusan and Spartan forces in a naval battle in the Great Harbour of Syracuse. The Athenians were decisively defeated, losing most of their fleet. This victory trapped the Athenian army on Sicily.

After the naval defeat, Gylippus pursued the retreating Athenian army under Nicias and Demosthenes. He forced their surrender, capturing thousands of Athenian soldiers. The prisoners were imprisoned in the Syracusan quarries, where many died.

Gylippus was sent to Thurii in southern Italy to negotiate. He was accused of embezzling public funds and fled. Condemned to death in absentia by Sparta, he went into exile, ending his career in disgrace.

Upon Antipater's death, Polyperchon was appointed regent of the Macedonian Empire, bypassing Antipater's son Cassander. This appointment triggered a power struggle with Cassander, who refused to accept Polyperchon's authority.

Polyperchon issued a decree proclaiming the freedom of Greek cities and restoring democratic governments, aiming to gain support against Cassander. This propaganda move won him temporary backing from many Greek states but failed to secure lasting loyalty.

Polyperchon besieged the city of Megalopolis, which had sided with Cassander. The siege failed when the defenders repelled his assault, severely damaging Polyperchon's reputation and military credibility.

Polyperchon allied with Olympias, Alexander the Great's mother, to support her claim to the Macedonian throne. This alliance led to the execution of Philip III Arrhidaeus and Eurydice, but also provoked Cassander's invasion of Macedonia.

Polyperchon was defeated by Cassander in a series of campaigns in Greece and Macedonia. He lost control of Macedonia and was forced into exile in the Peloponnese, where he held out with a small force until his death.