This volume investigates the historical significance and reliability of Justin's epitome of Pompeius Trogus's lost Philippic History as a primary source for the chaotic era following the death of Alexander the Great. J. C. Yardley, a scholar of classical history, provides a rigorous examination of the political and military instability that defined the Mediterranean world between 323 BC and 297 BC. By analyzing the abbreviated text of Books 13-15, the author constructs a framework for understanding the power struggles among the Diadochi, or successors, who vied for control over the fractured Macedonian Empire. The work serves as both a translation and a critical commentary, contextualizing the surviving fragments within the broader scope of ancient historiography.

Scholars and students of classical history frequently cite this volume as a critical resource for accessing the otherwise lost narrative of the Diadochi period. The text is noted for its academic rigor and its utility in bridging the gap between primary source analysis and modern historical interpretation.