Who is Olympias from The Campaigns of Alexander and what is their importance?

Olympias was Alexander's mother. She is described as having been a feisty, politically involved wife to Philip, and she was rumored to have slept with a large snake. She is also known to dance wildly during religious ceremonies. Olympias became a problem for Alexander after his campaigns, and he famously comments that his mother requires too much rent for the time he spent in her womb. Olympias was a source of conflict for the Grrek state, and when Alexander received word of her action, he did what he could to smooth out the homeland politics. Unfortunately, Alexander died in Babylon before he could return to Greece.