Coenus (general)

Coenus (general)
For other uses, see Coenus

Coenus (in Greek Koινoς; died 326 BC), a son of Polemocrates and son-in-law of Parmenion, was one of the ablest and most faithful generals of Alexander the Great in his eastern expedition. In the autumn of 334 BC, when Alexander was in Caria, and sent those of his soldiers who had been recently married, to Macedonia, to spend the ensuing winter with their wives there, Coenus was one of the commanders who led them back to Europe. In the spring of the year following (333 BC), Coenus returned with the Macedonians, and joined Alexander at Gordium. He commanded a portion of Alexander's army, and distinguished himself on various occasions. In all of Alexander's major battles, Coenus commanded the right-most battalion of infantry in the massive Macedonian phalanx. In the Macedonian battle tradition, the farther right you were in formation, the more honorable of a position you held. His distinction as commander of the "best" infantry of the phalanx indicates he was tactically reliable, probably extremely intelligent in warfare, and brave in battle; he was probably the epitome of the highly respected "lead-by-example" Macedonian general.

When Alexander had arrived at the river Hyphasis, and was anxious to push his conquests still further, Coenus was the first who had the boldness to urge the necessity of returning, and the king was obliged to follow his advice. But a short time afterwards, when the Macedonian army had actually commenced its return, Coenus died of an illness (326 BC), and was honoured by the king with a splendid burial. Alexander lamented his death, but is reported to have said, that Coenus had urged the necessity of returning so strongly, as if he alone had been destined to see his native country again.[1]

References

Notes

External links

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology by William Smith (1870).


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Coenus — or Koinos may refer to: Coenus (king) 2nd Macedonian ruler after Caranus (ca. 778 BC) Coenus (general) of Alexander the Great This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same personal name. If an …   Wikipedia

  • Meleager (general) — Meleager (Greek: Mελεαγρος Meleagros; died 323 BC) was a Macedonian officer of distinction in the service of Alexander the Great. Meleager, son of Neoptolemus, is first mentioned in the war against the Getae (335 BC). At the Granicus in the… …   Wikipedia

  • Menander (general) — Menander (in Greek Mενανδρoς; lived 4th century BC) was an officer in the service of Alexander the Great. He was one of those called etairoi, but he held the command of a body of mercenaries. He was appointed by Alexander to the government of… …   Wikipedia

  • Neoptolemus (general) — For other uses, see Neoptolemus (disambiguation) Neoptolemus (in Greek Νεoπτόλεμος; died 321 BC) was a Macedonian officer of Alexander the Great. According to Arrian he belonged to the race of the Aeacidae, so he was probably related to the… …   Wikipedia

  • Koinos (General) — Koinos (altgriech. Κοίνος, lat. Coenus; † 326 v. Chr.), Sohn des Polemokrates, war ein makedonischer Feldherr. Koinos wird erstmals 335 v. Chr. als Krieger König Alexanders des Großen im Kampf gegen den Illyrerkönig Glaukias erwähnt.[1] Um… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Cophen Campaign — Alexander s Indian campaign Part of Indian campaign of Alexander the Great The Valley of the Cophen River …   Wikipedia

  • List of ancient Macedonians — This is a list of the ancient Macedonians of Greece (Greek: Μακεδόνες, Makedónes). For other uses, including a list of people from modern day Republic of Macedonia see List of Macedonians Contents 1 Mythology 2 Kings 2.1 Argead Dynasty …   Wikipedia

  • Alexander the Great — 356 323 B.C., king of Macedonia 336 323: conqueror of Greek city states and of the Persian empire from Asia Minor and Egypt to India. * * * or Alexander III born 356 BC, Pella, Macedonia died June 13, 323 BC, Babylon King of Macedonia (336–323)… …   Universalium

  • Alexander the Great — This article is about the ancient king of Macedon. For other uses, see Alexander the Great (disambiguation). Alexander the Great Basileus of Macedon …   Wikipedia

  • History of Bangladesh — Bangladesh became one of the last major nation states following its secession in 1971 from the nation of Pakistan, which achieved its independence from the British Empire along with India in (1947). The region s history combines Indo Aryan,… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”