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
  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
  • 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
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