Peithon
Peithon or Pithon (in Greek old Πείθων or Πίθων ), born towards 355 av. J. - C., died in 316, is one of the Sômatophylaques (bodyguards) and of the Diadoque S of Alexandre Large the, under satrap of Médie.
Biography
Under the reign of Alexandre
Originating in Eordaia, a Western province of Macedonia, Peithon becomes one of the seven (then eight) Sômatophylaques of Alexandre in 325 front J. - C. For as much it forever obtained important military command, being wary Alexandre seems he of his ambition. Towards 328, Peithon is captured with its troops by Spitaménès which direct the revolt of the satrapies of Sogdiane and of Bactriane. Towards 327, it obtains the military command of the lower Indus, satrapie of Oxyartès. In 326, it is indicated Triérarque fleet of India, which shows its row within the hierarchy. In 325, Alexandre entrusts to him the satrapic organization of the area of the Sindh which has just revolted against the occupation Macedonian. Peithon appears among the Companions ( hétères ) present at the time of the fatal dionysiaque banquet at Alexandre in June 323.
Diadoque
With the division of Babylon which follows the death of Alexandre in 323 av. J. - C., Peithon obtains the satrapie Médie, the northern part of the satrapie being offered to Atropatès to form the Médie Atropatène. Médie is then a strategic area because it controls the roads between the Western parts and Eastern of the empire. On the order of Perdiccas, Chiliarque of the empire, Peithon must as of death Alexandre repress the insurrection of the Greek colonists (or Macedonians to a lesser extent) of Bactriane. Peithon obtains the command of: 3800 soldiers drawn Macedonians with the fate because those balk to turn over in High Asia, then it receives the reinforcement of troops come from the Eastern satrapies. It demolishes by treachery the army of the Greek colonists, estimated at: 20000 infantrymen and: 3000 riders. But contrary to the orders of the chiliarque one which ordered the extermination of the insurrectionists, Peithon accepts their capitulation and their return in the colonies. This measurement must enable him to be pressed in the future on a population gréco-Macedonian in her attempt at domination of the satrapies of High Asia. However the soldiers of Peithon do not respect by this treaty; wanting to pile up the spoils promised by Perdiccas, they massacre all the colonists.In 322, Peithon perhaps took share at the sides of Perdiccas to the conquest of the Cappadoce to the profit of Eumène de Cardia. Then it accompanies Perdiccas during its forwarding in Egypt against Ptolémée in 321. But with its accomplices Séleucos and Antigens, it is at the origin of the plot which leads to the assassination of Perdiccas. Ptolémée then charges it with taking care on the kings, Philippe III and Alexandre IV, while waiting for the arrival of Antipater.
With the division of Triparadisos in 321, Peithon is seen confirmed with the head of the satrapie of Médie. He seeks to seize the Parthie to entrust it to his Eudamos brother; but it east demolishes by the coalition of the satraps (Mésopotamie, Perse, Carmanie, Arachosie, Arie - Drangiane and Gandhâra), ordered by Peceustas. Peithon must flee in Babylon near Séleucos and it second in its fight against Eumène de Cardia (317). Charged with overcoming Antigone One-eyed the, Eumène proposed without success an alliance with Séleucos and Peithon, but those prefer to join the cause of Antigone One-eyed the. Peithon takes part in the sides of Antigone to the battles of Paraitacène and Gabiène, where it orders the light cavalry. After the death of Eumène, Peithon expresses the ambition to control the satrapies High Asia and to rejoin with its cause part of the troops of Antigone. Pretending to be unaware of this treason, this last invites Peithon in its winter quarters to Ecbatane and the fact of carrying out with the beginning of the year 316.