Philip (son of Agathocles of Pella)

Philip (Greek: Φίλιππος, died about 328 BC) was a Macedonian soldier under Alexander the Great.

Philip was the youngest of four sons born to Agathocles[1][2] and his wife, possibly named Arsinoe. His paternal grandfather may have been called Alcimachus and one of his brothers was Lysimachus, one of the Diadochi of Alexander the Great.[3]

His father was a nobleman of high rank who was a close friend and advisor of King Philip II of Macedon and became a favourite in the Argead court.[4] Philip and his brothers grew up being regarded as Macedonians. Philip and his brothers enjoyed prominent positions in King Alexander the Great’s circle[5] and they were educated at the court at Pella.[6]

Philip and his brothers served as a royal Hypaspists[7] in the service of Alexander. Not long after the death of Cleitus the Black, Philip accompanied Alexander on foot, refusing the mount of Lysimachus’ horse who rode nearby.[8] He remained near Alexander’s side, both in the pursuit of the supporters of Spitamenes, his Sogdian rebels and their cavalry.[9] Philip finally collapsed from exhaustion and died in Alexander’s arms.[10][11] In his military actions, Philip was trying to emulate his second eldest brother, Lysimachus.[12]

References

  1. ^ Lund, Lysimachus: A Study in Early Hellenistic Kingship, p.3
  2. ^ Heckel, Who’s who in the age of Alexander the Great: prosopography of Alexander’s empire, p.154
  3. ^ "Lysimachus' article at Livius.org". Archived from the original on 2014-04-23. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
  4. ^ Lund, Lysimachus: A Study in Early Hellenistic Kingship, p.2
  5. ^ Lund, Lysimachus: A Study in Early Hellenistic Kingship, p.2
  6. ^ Heckel, Who’s who in the age of Alexander the Great: prosopography of Alexander’s empire, p.153
  7. ^ Heckel, Who’s who in the age of Alexander the Great: prosopography of Alexander’s empire, p.154
  8. ^ Heckel, Who’s who in the age of Alexander the Great: prosopography of Alexander’s empire, p.154
  9. ^ Lund, Lysimachus: A Study in Early Hellenistic Kingship, p.3
  10. ^ Heckel, Who’s who in the age of Alexander the Great: prosopography of Alexander’s empire, p.154
  11. ^ Lund, Lysimachus: A Study in Early Hellenistic Kingship, p.3
  12. ^ Lund, Lysimachus: A Study in Early Hellenistic Kingship, p.3

Sources