Philoxenus (general)


 * For other uses, see Philoxenus

Philoxenus (in Greek Φιλoξενoς) was a Macedonian officer appointed to superintend the collection of the tribute in the provinces north of the Taurus Mountains after Alexander the Great's return from Egypt (331 BC). It would appear, however, that he did not immediately assume this command, as shortly afterwards we find him sent forward by Alexander from the field of Gaugamela to take possession of Susa and the treasures there deposited, which he effected without opposition. After this he seems to have remained quietly in the discharge of his functions in Asia Minor, until the commencement of the year 323 BC, when he conducted a reinforcement of troops from Caria to Babylon, where he arrived just before the last illness of Alexander. In the distribution of the provinces which followed the death of that monarch we find no mention of Philoxenus, but in 321 BC he was appointed by Perdiccas to succeed Philotas in the government of Cilicia. By what means he afterwards conciliated the favour of Antipater we know not, but in the partition at Triparadisus after the fall of Perdiccas the same year he was still allowed to retain his satrapy of Cilicia. From this time we hear no more of him.