WI Alexander The Great Dies Earlier?

We talk often about what would happen if Alexander the Great lived longer, but what would happen if he died earlier? Let's say he dies by a stray arrow at the Battle of Issus.

Does Darius win the day and Persia lives on? How long will they hold out?

What does this mean for politics in the Balkans?

How does this affect the rise of Rome further West? Will there be no Epirus for them to face off against?
 
Depends on when and how he dies, but he's probably remember as a historical footnote. I see ancient writers recalling him as a brilliant young noble with a troubled childhood and exceptional skill on the battlefield who could have done amazing things, but didn't get the chance.
 
If Alexander dies at Issus, I guess you'd see the throne go to Philip Arrihdaeus become King, though that could be problematic. Antipater is in charge of the Balkan territories at the time, so he'll no doubt try to spread his influence- probably through his son Cassander who could be married off to one of Alexander's half sisters.

The Greek cities of Asia Minor may be bullied into joining the League of Corinth, or, alternatively, Antipater could sacrifice them to the Achaemenids in exchange for Iranian support in holding the throne of Macedon.
 
If Alexander dies at Issus, I guess you'd see the throne go to Philip Arrihdaeus become King, though that could be problematic. Antipater is in charge of the Balkan territories at the time, so he'll no doubt try to spread his influence- probably through his son Cassander who could be married off to one of Alexander's half sisters.

The Greek cities of Asia Minor may be bullied into joining the League of Corinth, or, alternatively, Antipater could sacrifice them to the Achaemenids in exchange for Iranian support in holding the throne of Macedon.

What do you think are the chances of Macedonia keeping their holdings in Anatolia? And do you think the Macedonians could still rally and defeat the Persians at Issus if he was killed later in the Battle?

Also (damn, so many questions) how do you think Olympias would play in such an event?
 
If he died, and his troops didn't know it, they'd probably still win, If they did, probably an insta-route. Olympias would probably gain most from this- by using Arrhidaeus as a puppet, she could bring herself the kind of power she wanted.
 
Regarding Olympias, I think she's in a very weak position here. Her son is dead, and her daughter is away in Epirus- as far as I'm aware, she has no real allies at court. I doubt she'll last very long, especially if Antipater decides to make a quick bid for power.

I think it's quite likely that the Persians would get most of Anatolia back, with the Macedonians retaining hegemony perhaps only over the coastal cities that were once under Athenian control. Antipater is too old to be going off adventuring in Anatolia, and, assuming he does gain the ascendency over Philip III and the other remaining daughters of the Argead clan, he'll want to secure this hegemony before doing anything else. The best way to do that is through an alliance with the Great King.
 
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