Somatophylakes

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Somatophylakes (Greek: Σωματοφύλακες; singular: somatophylax, σωματοφύλαξ), in its literal English translation from Greek, means "bodyguards".

The most famous body of somatophylakes were those of Philip of Macedon and Alexander the Great. They consisted of seven men, drawn from the Macedonian nobility, who also acted as high-ranking military officers, holding command positions such as general or chiliarch. Alexander the Great appointed Peucestas as eighth somatophylax after the siege of Malli.

Somatophylakes of Alexander the Great

336–334
333,
332
  • Aristonous, Lysimachus, Peithon, Arybbas, Menes, Demetrius, Hephaestion.
331
  • Aristonous, Lysimachus, Peithon, Leonnatus, Menes, Demetrius, Hephaestion.
330–327
326–324
  • Aristonous, Lysimachus, Peithon, Leonnatus, Perdiccas, Ptolemy I Soter, Hephaestion, Peucestas
323
  • Aristonous, Lysimachus, Peithon, Leonnatus, Perdiccas, Ptolemy I Soter, Peucestas.

See also

  • Companion Cavalry

External links

Philip II's Generals
The Somatophylakes
(Alexander's bodyguards)
Satraps at the
Partition of Babylon
Satraps at the
Partition of Triparadisus
Cavalry Generals
Infantry Generals
Other or unknown
command

(1) Son of Parmenion, d. 330 BC; to be distinguished from (2)
(2) Satrap at Partition of Babylon; possibly Nicanor of Stageira
(3) Satrap at Partition of Babylon

(4) Son of Parmenion, d. 330 BC; to be distinguished from (3)
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