About Cassander
Cassander (Kassandros) is born around 350 as the eldest son of Antipatros of Macedonia. His name means "Brother of Heroes". It is not unlikely that he grows up with Alexander, son of King Philip II of Macedonia and receives the same education from various great tutors, such as Aristotle.
Apparently, young Cassander grows up to be a very ambitious and heated man. From various sources, we learn that he is a man of "cold logic" and "demonic determination", but with a great love for literature and culture in general. After Alexander's death, he even gets accused of having poisoned the King, which might just as well have only been a story invented by Alexander's mother, Olympias. Fact is, that Alexander was not overly fond of Antipatros' son, and that their personalities seemed to clash more than once.
After Alexander's death, Cassander's life is even more destined to be one of fighting. His father Antipatros - now King of Macedonia and probably fearing his own son - calls for Polyperchon as his successor, who will, however, not be able to make the Macedonian people forget that Cassander is still Antipatros' son. Cassander has many friends and supporters, nevertheless his path is plastered with those who oppose him. He does not hesitate to eradicate whoever stands between him and what he believes to be rightfully his. His way to the throne is brutal, but successful: after only four years, from 302 BC until his death in approx. 297 BC, Cassander is King of all Macedonia.
The sources all show Cassander as cold and calculating person. But one must never forget that until he died, he had to fight for his very life. And that kindness and mercy have no place in the life of a warrior and King of Macedonia.
Kassandros, König von Makedonien (in German)
In Oliver Stone's Alexander, released in 2004, Cassander is portrayed by irish actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers, hence the layout of this website. According to JRM himself, he auditioned for the part of Hephaistion, but it went to Jared Leto instead, and unfortunately, many of Cassander's lines were cut from the final version of the movie.
More Links in the link section!
About this site:
The layout features actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers in his role of Cassander. Background made by me, brushes come from Annika von Holdt.com
