Series Ancient Betrayals — 1 season, 5 episode

Story

In the final years of Philip of Macedon’s reign, a royal marriage places Alexander’s future in jeopardy. Philip’s union with Cleopatra Eurydice raises the possibility of a new heir, intensifying an already fragile struggle over succession. As rival claims and court suspicions gather force, the king is assassinated in 336 BCE. The episode follows the uncertain aftermath, examining the questions surrounding the murder and Alexander’s possible connection to the events. With the throne suddenly within reach, the young prince moves swiftly against those who could challenge his authority, securing power through calculated and ruthless political decisions.

Rather than presenting a simple answer to the mystery, the episode weighs the limited evidence concerning Olympias and Alexander. Its focus falls on the uneasy boundary between ambition, political survival, and complicity, showing how the collapse of a royal household can reshape the future of a kingdom.

Overview

Ancient Betrayals is a historical documentary series from the Czech Republic, built around turning points in which personal rivalries and acts of treachery influence the fate of rulers and empires. This episode concentrates on the Macedonian court and the succession crisis that followed Philip’s marriage to Cleopatra Eurydice.

The documentary combines dynastic conflict with attention to competing historical interpretations. Alexander’s rise unfolds amid a dangerous political environment, where loyalty could shift quickly and securing the throne required more than a claim by birth. The episode keeps its focus on motive, evidence, and the price of power.

Cast and Characters

No acting cast is listed for this documentary episode. Its central figures come from the historical record: Philip of Macedon, whose marriage creates a threat to the existing line of succession; Alexander, the heir whose claim to the throne is put at risk; Cleopatra Eurydice, whose marriage to Philip introduces the prospect of a rival heir; and Olympias, Alexander’s mother, whose possible involvement in Philip’s assassination remains uncertain.

The episode presents these figures through the political relationships connecting them, giving particular attention to the rivalry between an established heir and the prospect of a new claimant. Their decisions and suspicions drive the investigation into how Alexander secured the Macedonian throne.