Sitalces II


 * For the Odrysian king of the 5th century BC, see Sitalces

Sitalces was apparently a prince of the Odrysian royal house, possibly even the son of Cersobleptes. He was leader of a body of Thracian light-armed troops (javelin-men, akontistai), which accompanied Alexander the Great as auxiliaries on his expedition to Asia, and which rendered important services on various occasions, among others, at the battles of Issus and Arbela. Alexander took the sons of Thracian kings with him in order to ensure the loyalty of their fathers at home. Sitalces was one of those officers who were left behind in Media under the command of Parmenion, where he received, through the agency of Polydamas, royal orders to kill the old general. In this province he remained until after the return of Alexander from India, when he prepared, together with Cleander and Heracon, to meet the king in Carmania, 326 BC. Hither he was followed by many persons from Media, who accused him of numerous acts of rapine, extortion, and cruelty, and on these charges he was put to death by order of Alexander.