A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

(Ἀντίγονος Δώσων), so called because it was said he was always about to give but never did, was the son of Olympias of Larissa and Demetrius of Cyrene, who was a son of Demetrius Poliorcetes and a brother of Antigonus

Gonatas. [ANTIGONIDAE.] On the death of Demetrius II., B. C. 229, Antigonus was appointed guardian of his son Philip, whence he was sometimes designated by the surname Ἐπίτροπος. (Athen. 6.251d.; Liv. 40.54.) He married the widow of Demetrius, and almost immediately afterwards assumed the crown in his own right. At the commencement of his reign he was engaged in wars against the barbarians on the borders of Macedonia, but afterwards took an active part in the affairs of Greece. He supported Aratus and the Achaean league against Cleomenes, king of Sparta, and the Aetolians, and was completely successful. He defeated Cleomenes, and took Sparta, but was recalled to Macedonia by an invasion of the Illyrians. He defeated the Illyrians, and died in the same year (B. C. 220), after a reign of nine years. Polybius speaks favourably of his character, and commends him for his wisdom and moderation. He was succeeded by Philip. V. (Justin, 28.3, 4; Plut. Arat. and Cleom. ; Plb. 2.45, &c., 70; Niebuhr, Kleine Schriften, p. 232, &c.) [ARATUS; CLEOMENES.]