Alexander I of Epirus

King of Epirus, a pivotal figure in the Hellenistic period, related to Alexander the Great.

Chronology: -362 – -331

Origins & Early Life

Alexander I of Epirus (Ancient Greek: Ἀλέξανδρος Α'; c. 370 BC – 331 BC), also known as Alexander the Molossian (Ἀλέξανδρος ὁ Μολοσσός), was a king of Epirus (343/2–331 BC) of the Aeacid dynasty. As the son of Neoptolemus I and brother of Olympias, Alexander I was an uncle and brother-in-law of Alexander the Great. The father of Pyrrhus of Epirus, Aeacides, was also his first cousin.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

== Biography == Neoptolemus I ruled jointly with his brother Arybbas. When Neoptolemus died in c. 357 BC, his son Alexander was only a child and Arrybas became the sole king. In c. 350 BC, Alexander was brought to the court of Philip II of Macedon in order to protect him and in 343/2 Philip dethroned Arybbas and made Alexander, still in his late 20s, king of Epirus.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

When Olympias (the mother of Alexander the Great) was repudiated by her husband, Philip, in 337 BC, she went to her brother and endeavoured to induce him to make war on her husband. Alexander, however, declined the contest, and formed a second alliance with Philip by agreeing to marry his daughter (Alexander's own niece) Cleopatra. During the wedding in 336 BC, Philip was assassinated by Pausanias of Orestis. == Italian campaign == In 334 BC...

Source: Wikipedia