Simmias of Macedon

Simmias (Greek Σιμμίας; † 330 BC) was an officer of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC. He was the second of four sons of Andromenes; his brothers were Amyntas and Attalus Polemon.

During the Asia campaign, the eldest of the brothers, Amyntas, a Macedonian phalanx of taxis in the pezhetairoi led. Because Amyntas was in 332 BC reassigned from Gaza in the Macedonian homeland to attract new recruits, Simmias took over, according to Arrian for the time being in command of the taxis of his brother, he also led in 331 BC at the Battle of Gaugamela. According to Diodorus and Curtius Rufus, however, had the officer Philip, son of Balakros, who had led a taxi already at Granicus (334 BC), occupied the command of the battalion Amyntas. In historical research, therefore, is the assumption that Simmias had probably at best taken only a minor role in the battalion of his brother due to a too young age and inexperience, and that the leadership of this unit was entrusted to highly experienced Philippos in the so important battle of Gaugamela.

Amyntas did not return until late in 331 BC with reinforcement to the army of Alexander returned and resumed his command. After he died the following year, took the third brother Attalus the command without Simmias here again was mentioned, either because he himself died already or deemed incapable of execution had been.