The Antigonid Network

The Antigonid dynasty, one of the four Hellenistic kingdoms that emerged after the death of the Alexander the Great, was established in 306 BC by its eponymous founder Antigonus I Monophthalmus (‘the One-Eyed’) and his son Demetrius Poliorcetes ('the Besieger'). Originally based in Asia Minor and Syria, the family later gained control over the territory of Macedonia in 275 BC under the aegis of Antigonus II Gonatas (277-74, 272-239 BC). The kingdom subsequently came to prominence, reaching its peak during the reign of Philip V (221-179 BC), before coming to an end following successive conflicts with Rome and the defeat of its final ruler, Perseus, in 168 BC.

While the Antigonids were an important part of the political scene in the Hellenistic period, study of them has been largely overshadowed by that of the Ptolemies, Seleucids and Attalids, which (other than the Attalids) were longer-lasting and saw a greater engagement with non-Greek peoples. This lack of attention has obscured the significance of this dynasty in the politics and culture of the ancient Mediterranean. It is the aim of this Network, therefore, to rectify this situation by drawing together scholars working on this dynasty from a range of disciplines and institutions, by promoting collaborative and interdisciplinary research through conferences and workshops, and by providing a platform with which to access relevant sources and scholarship.

For more information about network members, events, recordings of seminars, and a bibliography and recent publications list related to the Antigonid dynasty, please see our website: http://blogs.exeter.ac.uk/theantigonidnetwork/

Contact: For information regarding the Antigonid Network and its activities, please contact Emma Nicholson (e.l.nicholson@exeter.ac.uk).

Research Seminars (2022-23)

Tuesday 6th December 2022, 5 pm (UK), – Monica D’Agostini, ‘Philip V, Messene and Aratus’ Panhellenic Dream’
Tuesday 31st January 2023, 5 pm (UK), – Kostas Buraselis, ‘Remarks on a royal funeral at Salamis (Cyprus)’
Tuesday 21st March 2023, 5 pm (UK), – Sofia Kravaritou, ‘Thessaly and the Antigonids: insights into Hellenistic religion in context’
Tuesday 25th April 2023, 5 pm (UK), – Charalampos Chrysafis, ‘Antigonid Garrisons in Greek Poleis after 301 BCE’
Tuesday 16th May 2023, 5 pm (UK), – Emma Nicholson, on her book (2023) Philip V of Macedon in Polybius’ Histories: Politics, History and Fiction, OUP.
Tuesday 13th June 2023, 5 pm (UK), – Shane Wallace, ‘Athens and the Antigonids’