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Philotas (d. October 330 B.C.) was the son of Parmenion, Alexander's most experienced and talented general. Philotas was never able to penetrate Alexander's inner circle. He was widely considered to be pompous and as a result often earned the King's disfavor. However, there was no doubt that he was an excellent leader and officer which earned him the appointment as the leader of the Companion Cavalry, the most sought after position in Alexander's army. Philotas was the name of several ancient Greeks: Philotas, the son of Parmenion executed by Alexander Philotas of Macedonia, the father of the prominent general Parmenion Philotas (musician), an ancient Greek dithyrambic poet and musician Philotas (satrap), a general of Alexander and Perdiccas This is a disambiguation page: a list... Parmenion (also Parmenio) (c. ... Alexander the Great (in Greek , transliterated Megas Alexandros) (July 356 BC – June 11, 323 BC), King of Macedon (336–323 BC), is considered one of the most successful military commanders in world history, conquering most of the world known to the ancient Greeks before his death. ... The Companions were Alexander the Greats elite cavalry, the offensive arm of his army and also his elite guard. ...
His death marks one of the darker moments in the King's history. One day in camp Philotas heard a second or third hand story of a plot by the royal pages to slay Alexander. Philotas neither said nor did anything at this news. It isn't known whether he considered the threat minimal or whether he simply allowed it to proceed. Either way, the plot traveled to the ears of the king who after a short and truly unfair trial executed Philotas on extremely weak evidence; however, Philotas had no doubt spoken very incautiously on some sensitive subjects, such as Alexander's visit to Ammon. The king then sent messengers to murder Parmenion before he could hear the news of his son's death and possibly start a rebellion.
The most important appointment, however, was that of his oldest son Philotas: he was the commander of the Companion cavalry, a unit of eight squadrons (of 225 horsemen each) that was Macedonia's most effective weapon in any battle.
Together with his king, he led the cavalry charge at the Granicus river (June 334), he prevented the Persian navy from finding a safe anchorage during the siege of Miletus (Summer 334), and was present at the beginning of the siege of Halicarnassus.
When he had been killed, half of Philotas' regiment went to western Hyrcania; it is not clear whether their commander was with them.
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