Parmenion (also Parmenio) (in Greek Παρμενίων, c. 400 BC - Ecbatana, 330 BC) was a Macedonian general in the service of Philip II of Macedon and Alexander the Great.

Parmenion was the son of a Macedonian nobleman Philotas. During the reign of Philip II Parmenion obtained a great victory over the Illyrians in 356 BC; he was one of the Macedonian delegates appointed to conclude peace with Athens in 346 BC, and was sent with an army to uphold Macedonian influence in Euboea in 342 BC.

In 336 BC he was sent, with an army of 10,000 men, with Amyntas and Attalus to make preparations for the reduction of Asia. After Alexander was recognized as king in Macedonia Parmenion himself became Alexander's second in command of army. He is said to have acted as a foil to his commander's innovative strategies, by expertly formulating the orthodox strategy. For instance, Parmenion is said to have counseled a night attack on Darius's assembled superior force at the Battle of Gaugamela, which Alexander took as evidence that Darius would keep his troops at the ready through the night and offer the Greeks some advantage if they rested for a battle in daylight.

He led the left wing in the battles of the Granicus, Issus and Gaugamela.

After the conquest of Drangiana, Alexander was informed that Philotas, son of Parmenion, was involved in a conspiracy against his life. Philotas was condemned by the army and put to death. Alexander, thinking it dangerous to allow the father to live, sent orders to Media for the assassination of Parmenion. There was no proof that Parmenion was in any way implicated in the conspiracy, but he was not even afforded the opportunity of defending himself.

Fiction

David Gemmell's novels Lion of Macedon and Dark Prince concern the life of Parmenion, although the fiction illustrates Parmenion as the son of a Spartan Warrior present at the battle of Themoparlye and raised as a Spartan. The story also suggests that Parmenion may have been Alexander's true father as opposed to Phillip.

References

External links

• Livius, Parmenion by Jona Lendering

Ancient Greeks | Ancient Macedonian generals | Alexander the Great | 330 BC deaths

Parmenion | Παρμενίων | Parmenio | Parménion | Parmenione | פארמיניון | Parmenion | Parmenion | Парменион (полководец Александра) | Parmenion