Nicanor (Greek general)
Encyclopedia
Nicanor a Macedon
ian officer under Cassander
, by whom he was secretly despatched immediately on the death of Antipater
, 319 BC, to take the command of the Macedonian garrison at Munychia, in Attica
. Nicanor arrived at Athens
before the news of Antipater's death, and thus readily obtained possession of the fortress, which he afterwards refused to give up notwithstanding the orders of Polyperchon
.
He however entered into friendly relations with Phocion
, and through his means began to negotiate with the Athenians, who demanded the withdrawal of the Macedonian garrison from Munychia, according to the decree just issued by Polyperchon. But while he thus deluded them with false hopes, instead of surrendering Munychia, he took the opportunity to surprise the Piraeus
also, and, having occupied it with a strong garrison, declared his intention to hold both fortresses for Cassander.
In vain did Olympias
, at this time on friendly terms with the regent, unite in commanding him to withdraw his troops: nor did Alexander
, the son of Polyperchon, who arrived in Attica the following spring (318 BC) at the head of a considerable army, effect anything more. Shortly after, Cassander himself arrived with a fleet of thirty-five ships, and Nicanor immediately put him in possession of the Piraeus, while he himself retained the command of Munychia.
He was, however, quickly despatched by Cassander with a fleet to the Hellespont, where he was joined by the naval forces of Antigonus
; and though at first defeated by Clitus
, the admiral of Polyperchon, he soon after retrieved his fortune, and gained a complete victory, destroying or capturing almost the whole of the enemy's fleet. On his return to Athens he was received by Cassander with the utmost distinction, and reinstated in his former command of Munychia.
But his late successes had so much elated him that he incurred the suspicion of aiming at higher objects, and intending to set up for himself. On these grounds Cassander determined to rid himself of one who was beginning to give him umbrage, and having succeeded by treachery in decoying Nicanor into his power, he caused him to be put to death, after undergoing the form of a trial before the Macedonian army.
Macedon
Macedonia or Macedon was an ancient kingdom, centered in the northeastern part of the Greek peninsula, bordered by Epirus to the west, Paeonia to the north, the region of Thrace to the east and Thessaly to the south....
ian officer under Cassander
Cassander
Cassander , King of Macedonia , was a son of Antipater, and founder of the Antipatrid dynasty...
, by whom he was secretly despatched immediately on the death of Antipater
Antipater
Antipater was a Macedonian general and a supporter of kings Philip II of Macedon and Alexander the Great. In 320 BC, he became Regent of all of Alexander's Empire. Antipater was one of the sons of a Macedonian nobleman called Iollas or Iolaus and his family were distant collateral relatives to the...
, 319 BC, to take the command of the Macedonian garrison at Munychia, in Attica
Attica
Attica is a historical region of Greece, containing Athens, the current capital of Greece. The historical region is centered on the Attic peninsula, which projects into the Aegean Sea...
. Nicanor arrived at Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
before the news of Antipater's death, and thus readily obtained possession of the fortress, which he afterwards refused to give up notwithstanding the orders of Polyperchon
Polyperchon
Polyperchon , son of Simmias from Tymphaia in Epirus, was a Macedonian general who served under Philip II and Alexander the Great, accompanying Alexander throughout his long journeys. After the return to Babylon, Polyperchon was sent back to Macedon with Craterus, but had only reached Cilicia by...
.
He however entered into friendly relations with Phocion
Phocion
Phocion was an Athenian statesman and strategos, and the subject of one of Plutarch's Parallel Lives....
, and through his means began to negotiate with the Athenians, who demanded the withdrawal of the Macedonian garrison from Munychia, according to the decree just issued by Polyperchon. But while he thus deluded them with false hopes, instead of surrendering Munychia, he took the opportunity to surprise the Piraeus
Piraeus
Piraeus is a city in the region of Attica, Greece. Piraeus is located within the Athens Urban Area, 12 km southwest from its city center , and lies along the east coast of the Saronic Gulf....
also, and, having occupied it with a strong garrison, declared his intention to hold both fortresses for Cassander.
In vain did Olympias
Olympias
Olympias was a Greek princess of Epirus, daughter of king Neoptolemus I of Epirus, the fourth wife of the king of Macedonia, Philip II, and mother of Alexander the Great...
, at this time on friendly terms with the regent, unite in commanding him to withdraw his troops: nor did Alexander
Alexander (general)
Alexander was son of Polyperchon, the regent of Macedonia, and an important general in the Wars of the Diadochi.-Alexander obtains and loses Athens:...
, the son of Polyperchon, who arrived in Attica the following spring (318 BC) at the head of a considerable army, effect anything more. Shortly after, Cassander himself arrived with a fleet of thirty-five ships, and Nicanor immediately put him in possession of the Piraeus, while he himself retained the command of Munychia.
He was, however, quickly despatched by Cassander with a fleet to the Hellespont, where he was joined by the naval forces of Antigonus
Antigonus I Monophthalmus
Antigonus I Monophthalmus , son of Philip from Elimeia, was a Macedonian nobleman, general, and satrap under Alexander the Great. During his early life he served under Philip II, and he was a major figure in the Wars of the Diadochi after Alexander's death, declaring himself king in 306 BC and...
; and though at first defeated by Clitus
Clitus the White
Cleitus the White was an officer of Alexander the Great surnamed "White" to distinguish him from Cleitus the Black...
, the admiral of Polyperchon, he soon after retrieved his fortune, and gained a complete victory, destroying or capturing almost the whole of the enemy's fleet. On his return to Athens he was received by Cassander with the utmost distinction, and reinstated in his former command of Munychia.
But his late successes had so much elated him that he incurred the suspicion of aiming at higher objects, and intending to set up for himself. On these grounds Cassander determined to rid himself of one who was beginning to give him umbrage, and having succeeded by treachery in decoying Nicanor into his power, he caused him to be put to death, after undergoing the form of a trial before the Macedonian army.