Philotas as a general

[alejandro]

Dear all,In a different thread, someone mentioned that Alexander and Parmenion might have reached an agreement after PhilipGÇÖs assassination. I find the idea appealing, as shown by the positions in the army ParmenionGÇÖs kin got.But my question is: where they (ParmenionGÇÖs kin) able leaders? In particular, I would like to know if Philotas, werenGÇÖt he ParmenionGÇÖs son and hadnGÇÖt this alleged deal been struck, would have been a good cavalry general?I know it is difficult to disentangle pure military matters from political ones, but it would be good to know if Philotas was good at his business. In particular, since Alexander is frequently mentioned to lead the attack from his position at the head of the Companions, how important was PhilotasGÇÖs role? Surely, Alexander had full control of the Agema, but then he needed a good coordination with the rest of the Companion cavalry. So was Philotas just a GÇ£yes sirGÇ¥ man (GÇ£yes SireGÇ¥ in this case!)? Or had he sufficient independence as to make his own decisions?Also, related to this matter, I donGÇÖt remember any action where he is mentioned as leading an independent party (except, if I remember well, somewhere on the Turkish coast, where his party denied landing space to the Persian fleet). Is this a consequence of the sources having a bias or is it due to AlexGÇÖs lack of confidence on PhilotasGÇÖ ability?Let me know your thoughtsAll the best,Alejandro

[kennyxx]

AlejI would say Alexander placed able commanders where they were. He must have been well acustomed and capable with Alexanders order and ways as they were brought up together. Any great commander worth his salt would never place an inept man in such a promeinent roll.Its gotta be assumed maybe believed that Philotas got to big for his boots and shot his mouth of about his and his daddys achievements. How much he was like that we really dont know. He mast have been cock sure with his position with his father and his other kin been placed in authority. I guess with Alexanders ego this must have got on his nerves a little and for a while and for convenience bit his lip until he got the opportunity to act and remove both at once. The opportunity must have been Alexanders christmases all at once.
Kenny

[kennyxx]

AlejI would say Alexander placed able commanders where they were. He must have been well acustomed and capable with Alexanders order and ways as they were brought up together. Any great commander worth his salt would never place an inept man in such a promeinent roll.Its gotta be assumed maybe believed that Philotas got to big for his boots and shot his mouth of about his and his daddys achievements. How much he was like that we really dont know. He mast have been cock sure with his position with his father and his other kin been placed in authority. I guess with Alexanders ego this must have got on his nerves a little and for a while and for convenience bit his lip until he got the opportunity to act and remove both at once. The opportunity must have been Alexanders christmases all at once.
Kenny

[marcus]

I'm not in a position at the moment to give a full answer, or to give you the references, but I think it's fairly clear that Philotas knew what he was doing, and was an able leader. ATBMarcus

[marcus]

I'm not in a position at the moment to give a full answer, or to give you the references, but I think it's fairly clear that Philotas knew what he was doing, and was an able leader. ATBMarcus

[alejandro]

Thanks Kenny and Marcus for your input. And Marcus, when you have some time, I would appreciate your quoting those paragraphs you mention.Thanks!Alejandro

[alejandro]

Thanks Kenny and Marcus for your input. And Marcus, when you have some time, I would appreciate your quoting those paragraphs you mention.Thanks!Alejandro

[Nicator]

Yep, I'd agree with that, if for no other reason than that Philotas was the son of Parmenion and showcased by Philip during the Carian wedding scandal. Not to mention the fact that Philotas must have been highly instrumental in the charge on the right at Guagamela. Probably handled the rest of the tactical adjustments while Alexander broke for the gap to press Darius. His role was not as heroic, but deadly necessary. later Nicator

[Nicator]

Yep, I'd agree with that, if for no other reason than that Philotas was the son of Parmenion and showcased by Philip during the Carian wedding scandal. Not to mention the fact that Philotas must have been highly instrumental in the charge on the right at Guagamela. Probably handled the rest of the tactical adjustments while Alexander broke for the gap to press Darius. His role was not as heroic, but deadly necessary. later Nicator

[marcus]

When I get a chance I shall look them out. Marcus

[marcus]

When I get a chance I shall look them out. Marcus

[Paralus]

Philotas, son of Parmenio GÇô the most trusted and experienced of Philip's generals GÇô was a squadron commander in the Companion Cavalry at the time of Alexander's accession (there were some eight squadrons GÇô at least at the time). Evidently, as a noble's son, this would not be surprising. Philip's method was to bind the nobility by enlisting their sons (in an almost hostage type situation: these were the pages) into the army. The important and deserving rising to command positions of some type in the foot Companions or the cavalry. That Philotas is a squadron commander in the most important cavalry division indicates that he was no dill. That he is reported as being able to advise the King (Philip) affirms it.
His rise to the position of commander of all eight squadrons of the Companion Cavalry is due GÇô in part at least, in my view GÇô to the accommodation of Parmenio's wishes for his support (and execution of his son in law Attalus) at the time of Alexander's securing of his throne. That is not to suggest that he did not have the ability for the position.
It needs to be remembered when assessing his ability that this was the most important position (one that, after his judicial murder, was not ever again trusted to one individual) outside of Alexander on this part of the battlefield. Alexander used the Companion Cavalry in all of his major set pieces as a wedge - or better put, as leverage GÇô to pry apart the Persian line and drive the enemy onto his great advantage: the bristling hedgehog of his unmatched phalanx. Such a position would not be entrusted to a person sans the ability to command it.
Plutarch describes him thusly:"Now, Philotas, the son of Parmenio, had a high position among the Macedonians; for he was held to be valiant and able to endure hardship, and, after Alexander himself, no one was so fond of giving and so fond of his comrades. "
(Alex. 48. 1)And one would think that having commanded the Companion Cavalry in the three set pieces - not to mention the other actions it took part in GÇô he was indeed able to endure hardship.It would have been most interesting to see where he wound up had he survived Alexander alond with Perdiccas, Ptolemy, Seleucas and the others.
Paralus

[Paralus]

Philotas, son of Parmenio GÇô the most trusted and experienced of Philip's generals GÇô was a squadron commander in the Companion Cavalry at the time of Alexander's accession (there were some eight squadrons GÇô at least at the time). Evidently, as a noble's son, this would not be surprising. Philip's method was to bind the nobility by enlisting their sons (in an almost hostage type situation: these were the pages) into the army. The important and deserving rising to command positions of some type in the foot Companions or the cavalry. That Philotas is a squadron commander in the most important cavalry division indicates that he was no dill. That he is reported as being able to advise the King (Philip) affirms it.
His rise to the position of commander of all eight squadrons of the Companion Cavalry is due GÇô in part at least, in my view GÇô to the accommodation of Parmenio's wishes for his support (and execution of his son in law Attalus) at the time of Alexander's securing of his throne. That is not to suggest that he did not have the ability for the position.
It needs to be remembered when assessing his ability that this was the most important position (one that, after his judicial murder, was not ever again trusted to one individual) outside of Alexander on this part of the battlefield. Alexander used the Companion Cavalry in all of his major set pieces as a wedge - or better put, as leverage GÇô to pry apart the Persian line and drive the enemy onto his great advantage: the bristling hedgehog of his unmatched phalanx. Such a position would not be entrusted to a person sans the ability to command it.
Plutarch describes him thusly:"Now, Philotas, the son of Parmenio, had a high position among the Macedonians; for he was held to be valiant and able to endure hardship, and, after Alexander himself, no one was so fond of giving and so fond of his comrades. "
(Alex. 48. 1)And one would think that having commanded the Companion Cavalry in the three set pieces - not to mention the other actions it took part in GÇô he was indeed able to endure hardship.It would have been most interesting to see where he wound up had he survived Alexander alond with Perdiccas, Ptolemy, Seleucas and the others.
Paralus

[alejandro]

Hi Paralus and Nick,Thanks for your comments.I have to say that I agree with you all. I indeed believe that Alexander would not put a useless person as leader of a unit, no matter how important his dad was. I just wanted to confirm it, as I donGÇÖt remember any GÇ£flashyGÇ¥ mention of Philotas in any of the sources (though this can be a later amendment consistent with the GÇ£blackening of ParmenionGÇÖs nameGÇ¥ hypothesis, or with those who say sources concentrate too much on AlexanderGÇÖs deed without paying much attention to othersGÇÖ actions unless connected with AlexanderGÇÖs).The difficulty with disentangling ability and political leverage was evident, but I tried to get a better assessment of PhilotasGÇÖ ability. That is why I tried to focus on whether he was assigned some independent mission (which became quite important in Bactria and Sogdiana but are less frequent before that, if I remember them well). Do you know about any one? I cannot think of any other apart from the one that I mentioned before (denying landing space to the Persian fleet). I will appreciate your help.All the best,Alejandro

[alejandro]

Hi Paralus and Nick,Thanks for your comments.I have to say that I agree with you all. I indeed believe that Alexander would not put a useless person as leader of a unit, no matter how important his dad was. I just wanted to confirm it, as I donGÇÖt remember any GÇ£flashyGÇ¥ mention of Philotas in any of the sources (though this can be a later amendment consistent with the GÇ£blackening of ParmenionGÇÖs nameGÇ¥ hypothesis, or with those who say sources concentrate too much on AlexanderGÇÖs deed without paying much attention to othersGÇÖ actions unless connected with AlexanderGÇÖs).The difficulty with disentangling ability and political leverage was evident, but I tried to get a better assessment of PhilotasGÇÖ ability. That is why I tried to focus on whether he was assigned some independent mission (which became quite important in Bactria and Sogdiana but are less frequent before that, if I remember them well). Do you know about any one? I cannot think of any other apart from the one that I mentioned before (denying landing space to the Persian fleet). I will appreciate your help.All the best,Alejandro