Lysimachus

Lysimachus , c.355–281 BC, Thessalian general of Alexander the Great. He was a commander in Alexander's fleet on the Hydaspes as well as his bodyguard. On Alexander's death (323 BC) Lysimachus took control of Thrace. He joined (314 BC) the other Diadochi— Cassander , Ptolemy I , and Seleucus I —in the league against Antigonus I , and after the defeat of Antigonus at Ipsus, Lysimachus took W Asia Minor as his share (301 BC). In 286 BC he added Macedonia to his kingdom by defeating Pyrrhus. Five years later Lysimachus was defeated in a war with Seleucus and was killed in battle at Corupedium near Magnesia ad Sipylum. A legend says that Lysimachus' wife, Arsinoë (daughter of Ptolemy I), persuaded him to kill his son by a former marriage and that the son's widow took refuge with Seleucus and provoked the final war.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"Lysimachus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Lysimachus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Lysimach.html

"Lysimachus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Lysimach.html

Learn more about citation styles

For students and teachers!

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including:

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including: