The Hellenistic monarchs, from Alexander the Great to the last Cleopatra, were experts in dynastic infighting. They anticipated by centuries the excesses of Roman potentates like Claudius and Nero, and their courts rivaled those of medieval Europe in the subtlety and cruelty of the palace plots. This major new collection of papers explores the intricate quarrels and violence that disturbed the peace of the ruling Hellenistic families. A major theme is the role of 'amphimetric' disputes, competition between a ruler's offspring from different women, and the book also includes a full discussion of the role of courtesans in the political and sexual intrigues of Hellenistic courts. Contents: Polygamy and death in the Macedonian and Hellenistic courts: Argead Macedon; Alexander; Cassander and Lysimachus; The Ptolemies; The Seleucids; The Antigonids; The Attalids. Hellenistic Royal Courtesans: Methodology and evidence; status and career; courtesans at work. Appendices: Women's quarters in Hellenistic royal palaces; repertorium of sources for Hellenistic royal courtesans; king lists of the Argead and Hellenistic dynasties.