Sitalces II

Sitalkes (Greek Σιτάλκης; † 324 BC in Karmana ) was a Thracian officer of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC.

To ensure the loyalty of the north and east of Macedonia settled peoples, Alexander undertook this not only to the position of troop contingents for his Asia campaign, but also by members of the princely families. This should take over the duties as a commander, but also serve as hostages at the same time. So probably Sitalkes was a member of the royal house of the Thracian Odrysians, perhaps a son of the king Kersebleptes. On the campaign he commanded the spearmen ( akontistai ) of the Thracian banns and is first mentioned in the conquest of Sagalassos in winter 334/333 BC. In the autumn of 333 BC, he took part in securing the Cilician gates, and fought in the battles of Issus and Gaugamela in 331 BC respectively on the left wing.

In 330 BC, he was left with his troops in Ecbatana, where he should belong to the staff of the general Parmenion. But in the same year he murdered these together with the officers Cleander, Agathon and Herakon on the instructions of Alexander. All four officers resulted in the following years, a reign of terror in Ecbatana, harassed by the local population and enriched themselves. When Alexander probably unexpected but returned from India, they were commanded BC 324 Karmana, where they were tried and executed by the military assembly for their crimes.