Agathocles of Pella
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Agathocles (Greek: Ἀγαθοκλῆς, flourished 4th century BC) was a Greek nobleman who was a contemporary to King Philip II of Macedon (reigned 359 BC–336 BC).
Agathocles was a Thessalian serf[1] from Crannon.[2][3] His father’s name may have been Alcimachus. It was through his flattery that Agathocles became an intimate friend of Philip II,[1] who raised him to high rank.[4] Agathocles and his family were granted Macedonian citizenship.[2] Agathocles shared in Philip II’s councils and Phillip II sent him to deal with the Perrhaebi and Agathocles took charge of affairs in that area.[1]
There is a possibility that Phillip II rewarded Agathocles for his services with estates in Pella.[1] Agathocles became a favorite in the Argead court in Pella and his family assimilated into Macedonian society.[1]
Agathocles married an unnamed Greek woman, a local Thessalian, perhaps called Arsinoe. They had four sons:
- Alcimachus[5]
- Lysimachus,[5] one of the Diadochi of Alexander the Great[6]
- Autodicus[5]
- Philip[5]