Demitrius the Besieger
By Charolette Dunn, Pat Wheatley
Abstract: Demetrius the Besieger is a historical and historiographical biography of Demetrius Poliorcetes ‘The Besieger of Cities’ (336–282 BC), an outstanding, yet enigmatic figure who presided over the disintegration of Alexander the Great’s empire after 323 BC. His campaigns, initiatives, and personal life bestride the opening forty years of the so-called ‘Hellenistic’ age, and are pivotal in its formation. Son of Antigonus Monophthalmus ‘The One-Eyed’, who fought alongside Alexander, Demetrius is the most fascinating and high profile of the Diadochoi, or Successors to Alexander the Great, and he became the first of the Hellenistic kings. This work provides a detailed account of Demetrius’ life set in the historical context of the chaotic period following Alexander’s unexpected death. It examines his career as a general, a king, and a legendary womanizer, presenting both the triumphs and disasters experienced by this remarkable individual. Demetrius was especially famous for his spectacular siege operations against enemy cities, and gained his unique nickname from his innovation in building gigantic siege engines, which were engineering wonders of the ancient world. However, his life was a paradox, with his fortunes oscillating wildly between successful and catastrophic ventures. His intrinsic qualities were hotly debated by the ancients, and remain controversial to this day. What is indisputable is that his endeavours dominated a formative period marked by great flux and enormous change, and his dazzling persona supplies a lens through which we can understand Hellenistic history.
Published by Oxford University Press, 2020.