Alexander's relationship with companions

• The relationship between Alexander and Cleitus


  - Cleitus was a member of the Macedonian inner circle

  - Key supporter of Philip, and his daughter worked as a nurse to Alexander when he was very young

  - Important member of the military machine of Macedon

  - Cleitus played an important role in Alexander's life

  - During the battle of Granicus, some evidence implies that he saved Alexander's life in Arrian 1.15. During the battle Alexander's spear was broken and Arrian states that he was almost killed but was saved by his companion, Cleitus. When we consider the reliability of Cleitus' actions in saving Alexander's life we might consider how accurate Arrian's sources are as he doesn't state where he got his information from and it seems too convenient that it saved history. Alexander evidently rated Cleitus' abilities.
• The relationship between Alexander and Hephaestion


  - more personal connection and friendship with Hephaestion. Life-long friend of Alexander. Almost the same age and had probably been educated together by Aristotle. As a result, Alexander had a close personal connection with Hephaestion.

  - In Arrian's account of Alexander's arrival at Troy (1.11), he implies that they may have been lovers at some point. Moreover, Arrian recorded that when Hephaestion died suddenly in 324 at Ecbatana, Alexander was overwhelmed by grief.

  - Alexander's reaction is indicative of the importance of their relationship.

  - In Arrian's own opinion, Alexander's actions at Troy and after Hephaestion's death were in imitation of his hero Achilles. It could be the case that Arrian presented his account of Alexander at Troy influenced by his knowledge of Achilles and Patroclus' relationship; he might be writing his account of Alexander and Hephaestion through an Iliad-inspired lense.

  -Nevertheless the presence of Hephaestion with Alexander throughout his life, as well as at many of the battles as a key figure in Alexander's cavalry, marks him out as one of Alexander's most loyal companions and almost certainly Alexander's favourite.
• The relationship between Alexander and Callisphenes
• The relationship between Alexander and Antipater


  Father figure to Alexander after the assasination of Philip of Macedon.

  Appointed by Philip to oversee Macedon (332 BC).

  He had a good relationship with Olympias.

  Left by Alexander as the regent of Macedon, when Alexander invaded Asia.

  Entrusted with internal Grecian affairs on behalf 0f Alexander.
• The relationship between Alexander and Parmenio


  A successful general under Philip and defeated the Illyrians in 356 BC.

  Led a force of 10,000 men in 336 BC.

  A cautious, traditional tactician (the logic to Alexander's enthusiasm for battle).

  He was Alexander's second in command.
• Similarities between the relationship between Alexander and Cleitus and Alexander and Hephaestion


  - The similarity of Alexander and Hephaestion relationship and that of Achilles and Patroclus especially when in Troy. Cleitus was, however, probably invited to Troy as well.

  - both Cleitus and Hephaestion both fought bravely on behalf of Alexander. Alexander relied on them; Cleitus saved Alexander's life at the Granicus.

  - According to Arrian, after both Cleitus and Hephaestion died, Alexander refrained from drinking and eating, failing to look after himself.
• Differences between the relationship between Alexander and Cleitus and Alexander and Hephaestion


  - Alexander had a close and possibly physical relationship with Hephaestion whereas Alexander murdered Cleitus in a drunken rage.

  - However Alexander's actions after Hephaestion's death show differences - Alexander never appointed a successor to Hephaestion as commander of the companion cavalry so that Hephaestion's name could live on; he ordered a huge funeral pyre at Babylon and announced that there should be public mourning throughout all of the barbarian lands.
• Plutarch's account of the death of Cleitus: Why did Alexander interrupt Cleitus when he was making a sacrifice?


  He admired the ripeness and the beauty of this fruit and sent for Cleitus, as he wished to show him what he had been given
• Plutarch's account of the death of Cleitus: What things did Alexander interpret as bad omens?


  - Cleitus: three of the sheep which had been prepared to sacrifice followed him

  - Alexander had seen something strange in his sleep two days before: he dreamt he saw Cleitus sitting with the sons of Parmenio who were dressed in black, and they were all dead
• Plutarch's account of the death of Cleitus: What happened at the drinking party that made Cleitus angry?


  The Macedonians were insulted by the prescence of barbarians and enemies
• Plutarch's account of the death of Cleitus: When Alexander could not control his anger, what did he do?


  picked up one of the apples on the table and threw it at Cleitus and began to look for his sword
• Plutarch's account of the death of Cleitus: How did Cleitus' friends try to diffuse the situation? Why was this unsuccessful?


  - Thrust him out the hall

  - Cleitus tried to enter again through a different door
• Plutarch's account of the death of Cleitus: What was the terrible result?


  Alexander took a spear from one of his guards, came face to face with Cleitus as he drew back the curtain in front of the door, and ran him through. He fell with a groan and a bellow, and at once Alexander's anger vanished.
• Plutarch's account of the death of Cleitus: How did Alexander react when he saw what he had done?


  He dragged the spear out of the dead body and tried to impale himself in the neck, but was prevented by his bodyguards
• Arrian's account of the death of Cleitus: Why had Cleitus become annoyed with Alexander? What did Cleitus say about Alexander's achievements?


  - the way Alexander had changed his behaviour to a manner more appropiate for barbarians and also by the conversations of those who were flattering him

  - He said that not even the deeds of Alexander were so great and wonderful as they claimed them to be.
• Arrian's account of the death of Cleitus: How does Alexander kill Cleitus?


  Some say that he grabbed a spear from one of his bodyguards and struck Cleitus with this and killed him, while others reported that he used a pike taken from one of the guards
• Arrian's account of the death of Cleitus: How does the death of Cleitus effect Alexander?


  - The majority of writers claim that he went to his bed and lay there mourning, and calling out Cleitus' name.

  - He would not stop calling himself the killer of his friends, and he refrained from drinking and eating for three days