Agathocles (Greek: Ἀγαθοκλῆς, flourished 4th century BC) was a Greek nobleman who was a contemporary to King Philip II of Macedon (reigned 359 BC–336 BC).

Agathocles was a Thessalian serf[1] from Crannon.[2][3] His father’s name may have been Alcimachus. It was through his flattery that Agathocles became an intimate friend of Philip II,[1] who raised him to high rank.[4] Agathocles was granted Macedonian citizenship for himself and his family.[2] Agathocles shared in Philip II’s councils and Phillip II sent him to deal with the Perrhaebi and Agathocles took charge of affairs in that area.[1]

There is a possibility that Phillip II rewarded Agathocles for his services with estates in Pella.[1] Agathocles became a favorite in the Argead court in Pella and his family assimilated into Macedonian society.[1]

Agathocles married an unnamed Greek woman, a local Thessalian, perhaps a woman called Arsinoe. With his wife they had four sons:

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Lund, Lysimachus: A Study in Early Hellenistic Kingship, p.2
  2. 1 2 Heckel, Who’s who in the age of Alexander the Great: prosopography of Alexander’s empire, p.153
  3. ↑ Eusebius, Chronography, § 88
  4. ↑ Ancient Library Article: Agathocles no.1 Archived October 26, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
  5. 1 2 3 4 Lund, Lysimachus: A Study in Early Hellenistic Kingship, p.3
  6. ↑ "Lysimachus' article at Livius.org". Archived from the original on 2014-04-23. Retrieved 2020-03-26.

Sources

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