Irlandos: New page: '''Craterus''' (ca. 370 BC - 321 BC, Greek: '''Κρατερός''') was a Macedonian general under Alexander the Great and one of the Diadochi. Cr...

2008-01-31T14:10:30Z

New page: '''Craterus''' (ca. 370 BC - 321 BC, Greek: '''Κρατερός''') was a Macedonian general under Alexander the Great and one of the Diadochi. Cr...

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'''Craterus''' (ca. [[370 BC]] - [[321 BC]], [[Greek language |Greek]]: '''Κρατερός''') was a [[Macedon]]ian general under [[Alexander the Great]] and one of the [[Diadochi]].

Craterus was the son of a Macedonian nobleman named Alexander. He commanded the complete [[Macedonian phalanx|phalanx]] and all infantry on the left wing in [[battle of Issus]] ([[333 BC]]). In Hyrcania, he was sent on a mission against the Tapurians, his first independent command with the Macedonian army. At the [[Battle of the Hydaspes River]] ([[326 BC]], near modern Jhelum) he commanded the rearguard, which stayed on the western bank; his men crossed the river only during the final stages of the battle.

At large festivities in Susa, Craterus married princess Amastris, daughter of Oxyathres, the brother of [[Darius III]]. Craterus and [[Polyperchon]] were appointed to lead 11,500 veteran soldiers back to Macedonia. Craterus was still in Cilicia, where he was building the fleet, when Alexander unexpectedly died in Babylon.

According to ancient Greek sources, Alexander had given his ring to [[Perdiccas]], saying that he gave his empire ''kratistôi'', or "to the strongest". Some scholars have speculated that what Alexander actually said was that he gave his kingdom 'to Craterus'. [http://www.livius.org/pen-pg/perdiccas/perdiccas.htm]

In [[322 BC]] Craterus aided [[Antipater]] in [[Lamian War]] against [[Athens]]. He sailed with his Cilician navy to Greece and led troops at the [[battle of Crannon]] in [[322 BC]]. When [[Antigonus I Monophthalmus|Antigonus]] rose in rebellion against [[Perdiccas]] and [[Eumenes]], Craterus joined him, alongside Antipater and [[Ptolemy I of Egypt|Ptolemy]]. He married Antipater's daughter [[Phila of Macedonia|Phila]]. He was killed in battle against [[Eumenes]] in [[Asia Minor]] when his charging horse fell over him (Diodorus), somewhere near the [[Hellespont]], in [[321 BC]].

== External links ==
* [http://www.livius.org/cn-cs/craterus/craterus.htm Short biography from livius.org]

[[Category:370 BC births]]
[[Category:321 BC deaths]]
[[Category:Ancient Greek generals]]
[[Category:Alexander the Great]]

Craterus - Revision history

Irlandos: New page: '''Craterus''' (ca. 370 BC - 321 BC, Greek: '''Κρατερός''') was a Macedonian general under Alexander the Great and one of the Diadochi. Cr...