Thessalonike of Macedon
Thessalonike of Macedon, Greek Θεσσαλονίκη, ( * ca 352-340 BC; † 295 BC) was the daughter of the king Philip II a Macedonian princess, in the struggles for the succession of her half-brother of Alexander the Great, the, the so-called Diadochenkriegen, played a not insignificant role.
In her year of birth can only conclude by placing their name basis: it is composed of " Thessalia " and " Nike " (Greek νίκη - Victory ) together, so that one can assume that it it a day because of a victory of the Macedonians she was born in Thessaly received. There are for the years 352/1 or 345 into consideration. For a subsequent year is the fact that they are not married before 316, which may be also due to the unfortunate circumstances of her life, of course. Because when her mother Nikesipolis, born in Pherae, a concubine of Philip, soon died after her birth, the child was well-behaved at the court of his stepmother, Olympias, who be located after the early death of his father not necessarily of good family relationships of the foreign child needs. About her relationship with her step brother is not known.
As a result, Thessalonica probably shared the fate of their stepmother. Olympias returned 317 BC from Epirus to Macedon back, there to take control, but was officially introduced to the resistance of Cassander, who laid siege to the royal family in Pydna and later had executed the old queen. Also Thessalonica came here in his power, and to strengthen its own legitimacy, he married 316 BC with her. In the year 315 BC Cassander on Thermaic Gulf built a city by synoecism, which he named after his wife. Today Thessaloniki soon became the most important city in the region next to Kassandreia, the capital of Halkidiki.
From the marriage with Cassander three sons were born, the later Macedonian kings Philip IV, Alexander V. and Antipater I.. Upon the death of the king in the year 297 BC, Thessalonica became manifest as regent for her sons some influence until finally, Antipater they slew 295/4 because they prefer the younger son, Alexander.