Silver Tetradrachm, Ancient Greece - Macedon, c. 323-317 BC
Philip III Arrhidaios (1/2 brother of Alexander the Great)
Obv: Heracles with Lionskin Helmet
Rev: Zeus seated, left
Mint: Arados. (Price P153) 27mm, 17.05gm
Philip III Arrhidaios reigned as king of Macedonia from after June 11, 323 BC until his death. He was a son of King Philip II of Macedonia by Philinna of Larissa, and thus an elder half-brother of Alexander the Great. Named Arrhidaios at birth, he assumed the name Philip when he ascended to the throne.
As Arrhidaios grew older it became apparent that he had mild learning difficulties. In Plutarch's report, he became disabled by means of an attempt on his life by Philip II's wife, Queen Olympias – who wanted to eliminate a possible rival to her son Alexander – through the employment of pharmaka (drugs/spells); however, most modern authorities doubt the truth of this claim. Alexander was fond of Arrhidaios and took him on his campaigns, both to protect his life and to prevent his use as a pawn in any prospective challenge for the throne. After Alexander's death in Babylon in 323, the Macedonian army in Asia proclaimed Arrhidaios as king; however, he served merely as a figurehead and as the pawn of a successive series of powerful generals.