Alexander IV

Alexander IV was born in 323 BC shortly after the death of his father, Alexander the Great. He was immediately proclaimed joint king alongside his uncle Philip III Arrhidaeus. In Egypt, he reigned nominally from 323 BC until his murder in about 310 BC, with dates secure within one year. Actual political and military power resided with the satrap Ptolemy, who governed Egypt independently from Memphis.

The young king never set foot in Egypt. Nevertheless, temple walls depicted him fulfilling the ritual duties of a traditional pharaoh before the native gods. In his name, reliefs were carved at Elephantine and other provincial religious centres. In about 310 BC, the regent Cassander ordered the secret assassination of the boy and his mother Roxana in Macedonia, bringing the ancient Argead dynasty to an end.

Scholars know his titular reign through surviving administrative papyri, Greek histories of the Diadochi wars, and hieroglyphic temple reliefs.

Monuments

• Elephantine temple reliefs

Explore further

Try the name on the Cartouche Desk, or see where the reign falls on the timeline.