Neoptolemus (Diadoche)

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Neoptolemus ( Greek Νεοπτόλεμος; † 321 BC ) was a companion ( hetairos ) of Alexander the great and one of his diadochi .

He came from Epirus , according to the Roman historian Arrian he was a member of the local Molossian ruling dynasty of the Aiakids , which was closely connected with the Macedonian royal family. During the Asian campaign he was first mentioned in 332 BC. When he took Gaza , where he was the first warrior to conquer the city walls. After the death of Nikanor in 330 BC He took over his post as commander of the shield bearers ( archihypaspistes ).

After Alexander's death in 323 BC In 323 BC , Neoptolemus became part of the imperial order of Babylon . Appointed satrap of Armenia . The exact character of the office assigned to him has not been clearly clarified in historical research. Alexander had already in 331 BC A satrap was appointed for Armenia with Mithrenes , but this country was only marginally traversed and thus not completely subjugated. It is therefore possible that the appointment of Neoptolemus as satrap was primarily an invitation to him to actually subjugate Armenia, similar to the appointment of Eumenes as governor of Cappadocia . Plutarch called Neoptolemus only strategos (military governor).

When the First Diadoch War broke out in 321 BC BC Neoptolemus was commissioned by the regent Perdiccas to support Eumenes against an expected invasion of Asia Minor by Antipater and Krateros . Instead, however, Neoptolemus planned with some like-minded comrades to murder the Greek Eumenes in order to then switch to Antipater's side. According to Diodorus, the reason for this was a personal feud with Eumenes. Justin , on the other hand, tells of Perdiccas's arrogance which prompted him to take this step. However, Eumenes found out about the plan in good time and defeated the conspirators in a fight, Neoptolemus was able to flee to Antipater. Together with Krateros he put Eumenes in the battle of the Hellespont , but was killed in a personal duel with him.

For the year 317 BC An Orontes is already mentioned as a satrap for Armenia, who came from the traditional Armenian ruling house of the Orontids . He was probably identical to that Orontes who had already been used by the Armenian warriors in the Battle of Gaugamela in 331 BC. BC against Alexander.

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literature

  • EM Anson: Neoptolemus and Armenia , In: AHB 4 (University of Arkansas, 1990)
personal data
SURNAME Neoptolemus
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Νεοπτόλεμος (Greek)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Macedonian general and diadoche
DATE OF BIRTH 4th century BC Chr.
DATE OF DEATH 321 BC Chr.