Agathocles of Pella
Agathocles (Greek: Ἀγαθοκλῆς, flourished 4th century BC) was a Greek nobleman who was a contemporary to King Philip II of Macedon (reigned 359 BC–336 BC).
Agathocles was a Thessalian serf[1] from Crannon.[2][3] His father’s name may have been Alcimachus. It was through his flattery that Agathocles became an intimate friend of Philip II,[1] who raised him to high rank.[4] Agathocles was granted Macedonian citizenship for himself and his family.[2] Agathocles shared in Philip II’s councils and Phillip II sent him to deal with the Perrhaebi and Agathocles took charge of affairs in that area.[1]
There is a possibility that Phillip II rewarded Agathocles for his services with estates in Pella.[1] Agathocles became a favorite in the Argead court in Pella and his family assimilated into Macedonian society.[1]
Agathocles married an unnamed Greek woman, a local Thessalian, perhaps a woman called Arsinoe. With his wife they had four sons:
- Alcimachus[5]
- Lysimachus,[5] one of the Diadochi of Alexander the Great[6]
- Autodicus[5]
- Philip[5]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e Lund, Lysimachus: A Study in Early Hellenistic Kingship, p.2
- ^ a b Heckel, Who’s who in the age of Alexander the Great: prosopography of Alexander’s empire, p.153
- ^ Eusebius, Chronography, § 88
- ^ Ancient Library Article: Agathocles no.1 Archived October 26, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c d Lund, Lysimachus: A Study in Early Hellenistic Kingship, p.3
- ^ "Lysimachus' article at Livius.org". Archived from the original on 2014-04-23. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
Sources[edit]
- Ancient Library Article: Agathocles no.1
- Lysimachus’ article at Livius.org Archived 2014-04-23 at the Wayback Machine
- H.S. Lund, Lysimachus: A Study in Early Hellenistic Kingship, Routledge, 2002
- W. Heckel, Who’s who in the age of Alexander the Great: prosopography of Alexander’s empire, Wiley-Blackwell, 2006