<P> It can be argued that some of the changes across the Macedonian Empire after Alexander's conquests and during the rule of the Diadochi would have occurred without the influence of Greek rule . As mentioned by Peter Green, numerous factors of conquest have been merged under the term Hellenistic Period . Specific areas conquered by Alexander's invading army, including Egypt and areas of Asia Minor and Mesopotamia "fell" willingly to conquest and viewed Alexander as more of a liberator than a victor . </P> <P> In addition, much of the area conquered would continue to be ruled by the Diadochi, Alexander's generals and successors . Initially the whole empire was divided among them; however, some territories were lost relatively quickly, or only remained nominally under Macedonian rule . After 200 years, only much reduced and rather degenerate states remained, until the conquest of Ptolemaic Egypt by Rome . </P> <P> When Alexander the Great died (June 10, 323 BC), he left behind a huge empire which was composed of many essentially autonomous territories called satrapies . Without a chosen successor there were immediate disputes among his generals as to who should be king of Macedon . These generals became known as the Diadochi (Greek: Διάδοχοι, Diadokhoi, meaning "Successors"). </P> <P> Meleager and the infantry supported the candidacy of Alexander's half - brother, Philip Arrhidaeus, while Perdiccas, the leading cavalry commander, supported waiting until the birth of Alexander's child by Roxana . After the infantry stormed the palace of Babylon, a compromise was arranged--Arrhidaeus (as Philip III) should become king, and should rule jointly with Roxana's child, assuming that it was a boy (as it was, becoming Alexander IV). Perdiccas himself would become regent (epimeletes) of the empire, and Meleager his lieutenant . Soon, however, Perdiccas had Meleager and the other infantry leaders murdered, and assumed full control . The generals who had supported Perdiccas were rewarded in the partition of Babylon by becoming satraps of the various parts of the empire, but Perdiccas' position was shaky, because, as Arrian writes, "everyone was suspicious of him, and he of them". </P>

What was the dominant form of political organization in the hellenistic world