The history of Cyprus for a generation after the death of Alexander is perhaps even more obscure than in the preceding period. The island was of course, owing to its geographical position and economic importance as a source of ship-timber and copper, involved in the scramble for power between the Successors. Strategically it was of the utmost significance to the powers concerned. It may be true that Ptolemy I aimed at securing Syria as a base from which he could attack Cyprus; it was equally true that the possession of Cyprus was essential to any Mediterranean power which wished to attack Syria.

In 321 Ptolemy I succeeded in securing the alliance of four of the Cypriote kings. Nicocreon of Salamis, Nicocles of Paphos, Pasicrates of Soli and Androcles of Amathus combined with him in the coalition against Perdiccas. They brought together a fleet of nearly 200 sail, and also laid siege to another city, perhaps Marium, which under its ruler remained loyal to the party of the Macedonian royal house. Perdiccas learned the news of this unfavourable turn in the situation in Cyprus when he reached Cilicia on his way to Egypt. He did not himself go aside to deal with it, but despatched a force of 800 foot and 500 horsemen under Aristonous of Pella, one of Alexander's body-guard, to succour the beleaguered city. The warships and transports which formed part of this expedition were commanded by the nauarch Sosigenes of Rhodes, the foot by Medius of Larisa, the horse by Amyntas.