A fair verdict.

[dean]

Hi,Just been reading about Alexander's eastern campaigns and the trouble he had with Philotas and also Bessos. Although both were technically on different sides originally Alex seems to treat both traitors without prejudice or bias.
Philotas- Parmenion's son was a childhood friend of Alex and studied with him in Mieza- Bessos- the murderer and traitor of Darius III.
I think that his treatment of both people is a very interesting glimpse into his personality and his balanced approach and treatment of Greeks and Persians alike.Was Philotas really guilty or conspiracy or concealing a plot? Why would he have wanted to see Alex dead? I know that Philotas was a man who believed that ATG wouldn't have been anybody if it weren't for people like himself or his father or the army-maybe it was pure jealousy.Also I think that Alexander has an unbelievable indifference to the verdict on Philotas.He surely could have revoked any sentence.
What I am also curious about is if Alexander had decided not to kill Parmenion then what would have happened?Would Parmenion have led an army against him? Apparently in Ecbatana there was enough wealth to pay an army for years.
Just thinking,
Dean.

[agesilaos]

The cases of Philotas and Bessos are quite different. In the action taken against Philotas what is apparent is the striking of a blow against the Parmenion-faction whether by Alexander consciously or by others exploiting his paranoia is a debating point. what is clear from Curtius' account is that the verdict was already decided before the show-trial hence the use of torture not once but twice, clearly Philotas had his confession wrung from him by the threat of something more than the rack which he had withstood. Once te decision had been made to execute Philotas Parmenion's fate was sealed. That Philotas was the main target is demonstrated by the acquital of Amyntas and his brothers.Bessos was processed as a traitor in Persian fashion as opposed to the trial offered Philotas in the Macedonian style also there can be little doubt as to Bessos' guilt themain doubt in his case seems to be the nature of his punishment; impalement,crucifixion or tearing asunder on palm trees

[dean]

Hi,Reading your answer it seems that you think Philotas was innocent and wrongly executed.
I had understood that he had known for considerable time of a conspiracy and had said nothing to Alexander.I do agree with you regarding Alexander's paranoia- it seems that whatever brought it on, it reeked havoc with his judgement and no end of disasters seem to have taken place because of it, for example with Kallistenes,Parmenion, Kleitos and the torching of Persepolis. Just recently I became aware of the incredible change in Kallisthenes's attitude towards Alexander.His early propagandistic writing and praise to be heard back in Greece compared with his final days and criticisms and incital for the Macedonians to revolt before possible obligatory prostration- why such a change?Talking of the Bessos trial, Oxatres Darius's brother was present and took an active role in bringing him to justice even cutting his ears and nose Persian style although yes it does seem to be a mystery as to his final fate.Best wishes, Dean.

[alejandro]

hello DeanThough not particularly dear to people in this forum, Manfredi provides a picture of Philotas that I don't dislike: as a traditional Macedonian disgusted by the Persianization of Alexander. He then plots to dispossess Alexander of his kingship and, if needed, to kill him. This is not so ilogical, though other vehement traditionalists (eg Krateros) were not part of the complot (and was one of those who tortured Philotas, if I remember it properly).
RegardsAlejandro

[agesilaos]

I am not 100% convinced of Philotas innocence, as Badian is for example but then one gets the feeling he thinks ATG had a hand in the shooting in Deeley Plaza and the demise of Elvis (I await Oliver Stone's film); however even the Court sources say Philotas was not named as a conspirator merely guilty of not giving credence to the bedroom tittle-tattle of adolescent boys and it is perhaps noteworthy that the alleged mover of the plot was conveniently killed resisting arrest. I tend towards the infra-court conspiracy though I dare say the accusations fell on willing ears.As for Kallisthenes we can be sure he was still praising Alexander to the skies after Gaugamela as his account is preserved in Plutarch and due to the anti-Parmenion slant must post-date his fall sometimes I wonder just how much truth there is in the stories of his anti-proskynesis stand since every fragment of his work betrays him as a dyed in the wool sycophant.

[dean]

Hello,
I am aware of the Manfredi interpretation and I felt that the picture he draws is that Philotas is aware of the complot but calls it off and tries to brush it under the carpet.That although he is a proud and somewhat arrogant Macedonian he doesn't wish to kill the king.
Manfredi makes out that Philotas is a brave soldier and leader who faces his fate with great fortitude and that his implication in the conspiracy was extremely limited.
Best regards, Dean.

[Tre]

Greetings Karl:Philotas knew of a plot to kill the King and did not tell him. That alone was reason enough for his death. The rest is 'historical apologia' for Philotas as Alexander is cast as the bad guy in the scenario presented.While Alexander is often criticized for executing Philotas and Parmenio a careful examination of the circumstances involved reveals he had no other choice.As for Callisthenes, there is quite a bit of controversy over exactly how he met his end and one wonders if indeed he died while imprisoned and it was later said he was executed to cover up something. It is entirely possible Aristobulos and Ptolemy each told part of a truth :-)Regards,Tre

[Linda]

I was always mighty suspicious of Philotas after that Pixodorus affair... :)I think the main damning evidence against him which probably did for him is that he prevented information reaching Alexander. About an assassination attempt. It meant he could never be trusted again - he had risked Alexander's life and made a judgement which the King should have made - whether the plot was real or not. He is painted as arrogant, and maybe he was. His trial seems a real stitch-up, though, but Alexander couldn't trust him again, and this mistrust could have led to a real coup by the Parmenion family.

[ruthaki]

I have to agree with Linda. I think there was a conspiracy afoot. And wasn't it their law that if one person in the family was convicted of treason that meant a death sentence to the other family members? I always felt it a shame though, that Parmenio had to die because of what Philotas was possibly plotting.