"When the dying Alexander the Great was asked to whom he bequeathed his vast empire, he supposedly replied 'to the strongest'. There ensued a long series of struggles between his generals and governors for control of these vast territories. Full of colorful characters, epic battles, treachery and subterfuge, it is a period with great appeal to anyone interested in ancient history and ancient warfare in particular. The wars shaped the map of the world from the Balkans to India for the next three centuries." "This first of two volumes introduces the key personalities and gives a narrative of the causes and course of these wars from the death of Alexander to the Battle of Corupedium in 281 BC, when the last two original Diadochi (Successors) faced each other one final time."--Jacket.