Agathocles of Pella
Agathocles (Greek: Ἀγαθοκλῆς, flourished 4th century BC) was a Greek nobleman who was a contemporary to King Philip II of Macedon who reigned 359 BC-336 BC.
Agathocles was a Thessalian Serf[1] from Crannon.[2] His father’s name may have been Alcimachus. It was through his flattery, that Agathocles became an intimate friend of Philip II.[1]
Philip II raised him to high rank.[3] 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[4]
- Lysimachus,[4] one of the Diadochi of Alexander the Great[5]
- Autodicus[4]
- Philip[4]
References
- ^ 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
- ^ Ancient Library Article: Agathocles no.1
- ^ a b c d Lund, Lysimachus: A Study in Early Hellenistic Kingship, p.3
- ^ Lysimachus’ article at Livius.org
Sources
- Ancient Library Article: Agathocles no.1
- Lysimachus’ article at Livius.org
- 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