Philotas

Macedonian commander

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July 1, 2026

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Philotas was a Macedonian commander and the son of Parmenio, a distinguished general who served both Philip II and Alexander the Great. Philotas himself was a prominent figure, commanding the elite Companion cavalry. He participated in Alexander's campaigns, including battles like Issus and Gaugamela.12

However, Philotas's career ended tragically. He was accused of conspiring to assassinate Alexander. Despite likely innocence, he was condemned by the army and executed. Following Philotas's death, Alexander also had his father, Parmenio, murdered.12

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Parmenio
Alexander the Great - Campaign eastward to Central Asia

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Alexander the Great
Campaign eastward to Central Asia
Philotas, Parmenio’s son, commander of the elite Companion cavalry, was implicated in an alleged plot against Alexander’s life, condemned by the army, and executed; and a secret message was sent to Cleander, Parmenio’s second in command, who obediently assassinated him. This ruthless action excited widespread…
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Philotas, Parmenio’s son, commander of the elite Companion cavalry, was implicated in an alleged plot against Alexander’s life, condemned by the army, and executed; and a secret message was sent to Cleander, Parmenio’s second in command, who obediently assassinated him. This ruthless action excited widespread…
Read More
ancient Greek civilization
The conquest of Bactria and the Indus valley
…of Alexander’s expedition: that of Philotas, the son of Parmenio and a commander of the Companion cavalry. There was little solid evidence for the prosecution to go on, but it is clear that Alexander’s Orientalizing tendencies and the ever-more-personal style of Alexander’s kingship had begun to irk his Macedonian nobility,…
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…of Alexander’s expedition: that of Philotas, the son of Parmenio and a commander of the Companion cavalry. There was little solid evidence for the prosecution to go on, but it is clear that Alexander’s Orientalizing tendencies and the ever-more-personal style of Alexander’s kingship had begun to irk his Macedonian nobility,…
Read More