The Anabasis of Alexander/Book III/Chapter XXVI

by Arrian

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CHAPTER XXVI.

Philotas and Parmenio put to Death.

Here also Alexander discovered the conspiracy of Philotas, soti of Parmenio. Ptolemy and Aristobiilus say that it had already been reported to him before in Egypt^[1]; but that it did not appear to him credible, both on account of the long- existing friendsliip between them, the honour which he publicly conferred upon his father Parmenio, and the .confidence he reposed in Philotaa himself. Ptolemy, son of Lagns,, says that Philotas was brought before the Macedonians,^[2] that Alexander vehemently accused him, and that he defended himself from the charges. He says also that the divulgfers^[3] of the plot came forward and convicted him and his accomplices both by other clear proofs and especially because Philotas himself confessed that he had heard of a certain conspiracy which was being formed against Alexander. He was convicted of having said nothing to the king about this plot, though he visited the royal tent twice a day.^[4] He and all the others who had taken part with him in the conspiracy were killed by the Macedonians with their javelins;^[5] and Polydamas, one of the Companions, was despatched to Parmenio, carrying letters from Alexander to the generals in Media, Oleander, Sitalces, and Menidas, who had been placed over the army commanded by Parmenio. By these men Parmenio was put to death, perhaps because Alexander deemed it incredible that Philotas should conspire against him and Parmenio not participate in his son's plan; or perhaps, he thought that even if he had no share in it, he would now be a dangerous man if he survived, after the king had violently made away with his son. Moreover he was held in very great respect both by Alexander himself and by all the army, having great influence not only among the Macedonian troops but also among the Grecian auxiliaries, whom lie often used to command according to Alexander's order, both in his own turn and out of his turn, with his sovereign's approbation and satisfaction.^[6]

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1. Aecording to Plutarch (Alex., 48, 49) Alexander suborned Antigone, the mistress oi Philotas, to reveal his secret conversation.
2. Cf. Gurtim, yi. 32.
3. The word ἐπιμηνυτής is found nowhere else in any Greek author.
4. Full details of the conspiracy and trial of Philotas are given hy Curtius (vi. 25-44).
5. Arrian says nothing about Philotas being put to the torture; but this fast is asserted with ample details by Plutarch (Alex., 49); Diodorut (xvii. 80); Curtive (vi. 42, 43); and JusHn (xii. 5).
6. Full particulars of the murder of Parmenio are given by Curtius (vii. 7-9).