Philoi

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Philoi (plural of Philos) was a title to the royal friends, advisors of the king (basileus) in ancient Macedonia. They were the personal choice of the king and they might have come from anywhere in the Greek world. The title became common among the Hellenistic kingdoms. In the Seleucid Empire a number of ranks can be traced; Protoi Philoi, First Friends and Timomenoi Philoi, Honoured Friends organized in various orders. In inscriptions the phrase the King, his Friends and the army signifies their important role.

References

The Cambridge Ancient History. By Frank William Walbank Page 68 ISBN 0-521-85073-8
The Greek world after Alexander, 323-30 B.C. By Graham Shipley Page 76 ISBN 0-415-04618-1

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