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Parmenio

Background

PARMENIO (c. 400–330 B.C.), Macedonian general in the service of Philip II. and Alexander the Great. During the reign of Philip Parmenio obtained a great victory over the Illyrians (356); he was one of the Macedonian delegates appointed to conclude peace with Athens (346), and was sent with an army to uphold Macedonian influence in Euboea (342). In 336 he was sent with Amyntas and Attains to make preparations for the reduction of Asia.

He led the left wing in the battles of the Granicus, Issus and Gaugamela. After the conquest of Drangiana, Alexander was informed that Philotas, son of Parmenio, was involved in a conspiracy against his life. Philotas was condemned by the army and put to death. Alexander, thinking it dangerous to allow the father to live, sent orders to Media for the assassination of Parmenio. There was no proof that Parmenio was in any way implicated in the conspiracy, but he was not even afforded the opportunity of defending himself.

Sources

Primary Sources

See Arrian, Anabasis; Plutarch, Alexander; Diod. Sic. xvii.; Curtius vii. 2, 11; Justin xii. 5

Secondary Sources

1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, Volume 20