Agathon (son of Philotas)

Agathon (in Greek Aγαθων; lived 4th century BC) was the son of the Macedonian Philotas and the brother of Parmenion and Asander. He was given as a hostage to Antigonus in 313 BC, by his brother Asander, who was satrap of Caria, but was taken back again by Asander in a few days. Agathon had a son, named Asander, who is mentioned in a Greek inscription.

References

Notes

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870). "^{article name needed}". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. 

Agathon

Agathon (/ˈæɡəˌθɒn/; Greek: Ἀγάθων, gen.: Ἀγάθωνος; c. 448 – c. 400 BC) was an Athenian tragic poet whose works have been lost. He is best known for his appearance in Plato's Symposium, which describes the banquet given to celebrate his obtaining a prize for his first tragedy at the Lenaia in 416. He is also a prominent character in Aristophanes' comedy the Thesmophoriazusae.

Life and career

Agathon was the son of Tisamenus, and the lifelong companion of Pausanias, with whom he appears in both the Symposium and Plato's Protagoras. Together with Pausanias, he later moved to the court of Archelaus, king of Macedon, who was recruiting playwrights; it is here that he probably died around 401 BC. Agathon introduced certain innovations into the Greek theater: Aristotle tells us in the Poetics (1456a) that the characters and plot of his Anthos were original and not, following Athenian dramatic orthodoxy, borrowed from mythological subjects. Agathon was also the first playwright to write choral parts which were apparently independent from the main plot of his plays.

Agathon (name)

Agathon (Anc. Gr. Ἀγάθων) is a given name.

Russian name

In Russian, in 1924–1930, the name "Агато́н" (Agaton) was included into various Soviet calendars, which included the new and often artificially created names promoting the new Soviet realities and encouraging the break with the tradition of using the names in the Synodal Menologia. The name is a Westernized form of the more traditional name Agafon.

Classical antiquity

Agathon (son of Tyrimmas)

Agathon son of Tyrimmas was the Macedonian commander of Thracian cavalry during Alexander's campaign. He played a role in the elimination of Parmenion but later he was executed by Alexander.

References

Who's who in the Age of Alexander the Great: Prosopography of Alexander's Empire Page 7 By Waldemar Heckel ISBN 1-4051-1210-7

Philotas

Philotas (in Greek, Φιλώτας, died October 330 BC) was the eldest son of Parmenion, one of Alexander the Great's most experienced and talented generals. He rose to command the Companion Cavalry, but was accused of conspiring against Alexander and executed.

Biography

When Alexander became king of Macedonia (336 BC) with Parmenion's support, he and his relations were rewarded with offices and commissions. Philotas was promoted, from a commander of a cavalry squadron to commander of the Companions, the corps of Macedonian cavalry that also provided bodyguards and attendants to the King. (In battle, Alexander rode with and led this cavalry corps; they were, literally, his "companions," therefore the name.) Philotas, though a highly capable officer, was widely perceived as arrogant and pompous; he was never able to master the role of courtier, was often a center of conflict, and often earned the King's disfavour.

In the latter part of 330 BC, Philotas was accused of conspiring against Alexander. He had been subject to similar reports previously, though the case against him in 330 was more serious; his accusers included the commander Coenus, who was married to Philotas' sister. Philotas was tried and convicted, tortured to reveal the extent of the conspiracy, then stoned or speared to death with other convicted plotters. The execution of Philotas necessitated the removal of Parmenion, who, while innocent of any plotting, was judged unreliable once his son and heir had been put to death. Alexander sent assassins to kill Parmenion before the news of his son's execution reached him.

Philotas (phrourarch)

Philotas was a Macedonian officer, appointed phrourarch on the Cadmea, at the time of the revolt of the Thebans against Alexander the Great, 335 BC. Though closely blockaded in the citadel, and vigorously besieged by the citizens, he was able to hold out until the arrival of Alexander, and the capture of the city, when he contributed greatly to the discomfiture of the Thebans, by a vigorous sally from the citadel.

Philotas was also the name of the phrourarch of Tyre after the Siege of Tyre (332 BC)

References

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870). "^{article name needed}". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. 

Philotas (Antigonid general)

Philotas was a Macedonian general in the service of Antigonus I Monophthalmus, who was employed by him in 319 BC, to endeavour by bribes and promises to corrupt the Argyraspides in the service of Eumenes, and especially their leaders Antigenes and Teutamus. But his efforts were unavailing: Teutamus was tempted for a moment, but was recalled to the path of duty by his firmer-minded colleague, and the Argyraspids continued faithful (Diodorus, XVIII. 62-63).

References

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870). "^{article name needed}". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.