13 Facts About Philotas

Philotas was the eldest son of Parmenion, one of Alexander the Great's most experienced and talented generals.

Philotas rose to command the Companion Cavalry, but was accused of conspiring against Alexander and executed.

Philotas was promoted, from a commander of a cavalry squadron to commander of the Companions, the corps of Macedonian cavalry that provided bodyguards and attendants to the King.

Philotas would serve alongside Alexander in numerous battles, fighting at the Battle of the Granicus, the Siege of Miletus, and the Siege of Tyre.

Philotas had been subject to similar reports previously, though the case against him in 330 BC was more serious; his accusers included the commander Coenus, who was married to Philotas' sister.

Philotas was tried and convicted, tortured to reveal the extent of the conspiracy, implicating his father, then stoned or speared to death with other convicted plotters.

The execution of Philotas necessitated the removal of Parmenion, who, while innocent of any plotting, was judged unreliable once his son and heir had been put to death.

The story of Philotas was dramatized in 1604 by the English poet and playwright Samuel Daniel.

In 1731 a second play about his life Philotas was written by Philip Frowde and performed in London.

Philotas then begins a heavy monologue, filled with moral and ethical questions, about whether remaining alive would better serve his father's interests, especially considering that he is in possession of Arideus' son.

Philotas concludes that the most appropriate thing to do is to kill himself, to preserve his father's dominion over the lands in dispute.

Philotas then manages to obtain a sword from Arideus, claiming it would 'fit him better' before meeting the squadron, something Arideus has asked him to do.

The legitimacy of Philotas' suicide is a subject of discussion in modern theatre and ethics education.