ANTIPATER, the Macedonian, the son of Tolaus, was first an officer under Philip, king of Macedon ; and was afterwards raised to the rank of a general, under Alexander the Great. When the latter invaded Asia, Antipater was appointed governor of Macedonia ; and in this station he served his prince with the utmost fidelity. He reduced the Spartans, who had formed a confederacy against the Macedonians; and having thus secured the tranquillity of Greece, he marched into Ana with a powerful reinforcement to Alexander.
After Alexander's death, the government of Mace donia, and of the other European provinces, was allotted to Antipater. He was soon involved in a severe con test with the Grecian states; was defeated by the Athe nians, who came against him with an army of 30,000 men, and a fleet of 200 ships; and was closely besieged in Lamia, a town of ThessaIy. But Leosthenes, the Athenian commander, having been mortally wounded under the walls of the city, and Antipater having re ceived assistance from Craterus, his son-in-law, the fortune of the war was completely changed. The Athe nians were routed at Cranon, and compelled to submit at discretion. They were allowed to retain their laws and privileges, but were obliged to deliver up the ora tors Demosthenes and Hyperides, who had instigated the war, and to receive a Macedonian garrison into their citadel. He was equally successful in reducing the other states of Greece, who were making a noble struggle for their freedom; but he settled their respec tive governments with much equity and moderation. In conjunction with Craterus, he was the first who at tempted to controul the growing power of Perdiecas: and after the death of that commander, he was invested with all his authority. He exercised this jurisdiction
over the other governors, with unusual fidelity, integri ty and impartiality ; and died in the 80th year of his age, B. C. 319. At his death, he left his son Cassandcr in a subordinate station; appointed Polysperchon his own immediate successor; and recommended him to the other generals as the fittest person to preside in then councils. As he had himself experienced much inter ruption in his first appointment as governor of Mace don, from the ambitious and intriguing spirit of Olym pias, he gave it to Polysperchon as his chief advice, " never to permit a woman to interfere in state affairs." Antipater received a learned education ; and was the friend and disciple of Aristotle. He appears to have possessed very exalted talents ; and was peculiarly dis tinguished for his vigilance and fidelity in every trust. It was a saying of king Philip, " I have slept soundly, for Antipater was awake." His dress, appearance, and general demeanor, were always very plain and unas suming; and, when it was observed to Alexander, that all his officers wore purple but Antipatcr, " True," re plied the prince, " but Antipater is purple within." See ?inc. Univ. Hist. vol. vii. 454. vol. viii. 16. 1?ollin's ?111C. Hist. vol. iv. 374. vol. v. 119. Quint. Curt. 3, 4, 5, 6, &c. Justin, 11, 12, 13. Diod. Sic. 17. 18. Nepos, in Phocion and Eumen. Plutarch, in Alcxand. Eumen. and Demet.
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