Craterus

Right Hand of Alexander

Craterus was one of the most illustrious generals under Alexander the Great and his dearest friend, next to Hephaestion.

He occupies a special place in ancient Greek military history. Though overshadowed in modern discourse by more famously mentioned Companions such as Hephaestion, Parmenion, Perdiccas and the Diadochi, Craterus was no less vital to the success of Alexander’s campaigns.

To the soldiers in Alexander’s army, he served as a straightforward, stalwart commander, deeply committed to practical military matters. For Alexander himself, he was more than just a skilled officer; he was, by many accounts, his most strictly valued friend and confidant.

EARLY LIFE

Craterus was born in the region of Orestis in 362BCE, born to a nobleman of high military pedigree curiously also named Alexander. He was several years older than the king he would come to serve. Although little is definitively known about his early life from any of the sources, he hailed from a noble Macedonian family, linked to influential aristocratic networks at the court of Philip II, Alexander’s father.

During Philip II’s reign, the Macedonian kingdom underwent a dramatic transformation, developing from a relatively obscure monarchy of disparate settlements into a formidable military power with an urban reorganization. Young Macedonian nobility learned skills of leadership in battle, political acumen, and the deep loyalty that bound officer and king. Craterus exhibited extreme talents in all of these, which made him a unique youthful prodigy.

He caught the eye of the king, but before that, he had been approached by the much younger Alexander who saw him as a role model and persistently followed him around. He was therefore put in a difficult position between Philip and Alexander as they continued to argue but also put into a somewhat vexatious situation of being the mentor to the heir to the throne. In other words, he was superior in age and yet inferior in rank in the Greek social dynamics of the time.

Philip II’s reorganization of the Macedonian army introduced the formidable Macedonian phalanx. Although Craterus was too young to be a leading figure during Philip’s major conquests in Thrace, Thessaly, and other regions, he acquired hands-on experience as a junior officer. Many sources place Craterus as being much older than what he was due to this genius which soon made him a senior commander as a mere youth, highly unusual for Greek military standards.

The cohesive environment crafted by Philip ensured that able commanders like Craterus and Hephaestion were positioned to have direct, influential roles in the campaigns that followed. By the time Philip II was assassinated, Craterus had begun building the reputation that would lead to his place in Alexander’s retinue.

ALEXANDER’S CAMPAIGN

Alexander’s invasion of the Persian Empire commenced with a crossing of the Hellespont. Craterus was part of the senior officer corps that accompanied him. The early stages of this campaign, marked by the battles at the Granicus River and Issus, featured many Macedonian commanders who would subsequently achieve historical fame. In the surviving ancient accounts, his presence is noted in that he commanded sections of the infantry on occasion, showcasing a leadership that signaled a deeper trust between him and Alexander.

The significance of Craterus’s contributions emerged more clearly over time. After Alexander’s decisive victory at Issus, the Macedonians seized control of Phoenicia and Egypt before striking into the heart of the Persian Empire. During these prolonged conflicts, the loyalty and skill of his bravest Companion shone. Alexander frequently delegated tasks of considerable magnitude and complexity to his friend, ranging from besieging extremely dangerous strongholds to ensuring the secure passage of supplies.

While Hephaestion often interceded on behalf of Alexander to foreigners, Craterus did so among the Companions and Greek leaders. In this environment, he became a steady presence, building a reputation for inspiring unwavering discipline among the rank-and-file and consistent success in crucial missions. This is also why Craterus had a very conservative attitude to the reforms of Alexander in Persia.

GAUGAMELA

One of the hallmarks of Craterus’s career was his capacity to handle complex tasks under pressure, typically in direct alignment with Alexander’s larger strategic objectives. While the ancient sources often focus on Alexander’s brilliance in orchestrating ambushes, cavalry charges, and siege tactics, these feats were seldom performed by Alexander alone.

At the Battle of Gaugamela, the decisive confrontation between Alexander and the Persian King Darius III, Craterus played a vital role. Historical accounts, including those by Arrian, Curtius Rufus, and Diodorus Siculus, attest to the complexity of the Macedonian deployment under his guidance. Alexander took command of the right wing, while Parmenion operated on the left. Craterus was tasked with holding a section of the line to ensure that the phalanx and supporting units did not become overextended or outflanked, a critical element in the battle.

Although overshadowed in the ancient narratives by Alexander’s dramatic cavalry charge against Darius III, Craterus’s reliable leadership in the resulting onslaughts contributed to the favorable progression of this famous and troublous battle. The consistency allowed Alexander to risk bold maneuvers at critical points, knowing his subcommanders were dependable.

SECURING THE EMPIRE

His first independent assignment as a commander of part of the Macedonian forces was to occupy the heights where Alexander anticipated the Uxii would seek refuge. After this initial success, Alexander began entrusting him with larger commands. During the engagement at the Persian Gate, Craterus was ordered to hold the camp and launch his attack once he heard the signal from the trumpet. While Alexander’s assault detachments circled the gorge via hidden pathways and struck the Persian position at its exit, Craterus led a second attack that threw the Persians into disarray, resulting in their complete defeat.

Following the capture of Persepolis, Craterus and Parmenion led the bulk of the Macedonian army and the baggage train for thirty days, while Alexander advanced deeper into Persia with a smaller detachment. Later, Alexander took his Companion on campaign from Ecbatana to the Caspian Gates. Upon seeing an opportunity to overtake and capture Darius III, Alexander selected his strongest and swiftest warriors, leaving Craterus in command of the remainder of the army. In Hyrcania, Alexander divided his forces into three parts; one of these was entrusted to Craterus, who proceeded toward the lands of the Tapuri along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea.

After that, Alexander turned his focus toward the eastern Satrapies, including Bactria and Sogdiana, regions corresponding roughly to modern-day Afghanistan and Central Asia. Here, the warfare shifted from pitched battles in open plains to guerrilla-style resistance and siege warfare in rough terrain. These campaigns tested the ability of every Macedonian general to lead troops in unfamiliar territories.

His star rose even further during the campaigns to the east. Craterus proved invaluable during these protracted efforts. In addition to commanding cavalry and infantry detachments, he sometimes functioned as a logistician, bridging gaps between scattered Macedonian columns, facilitating resupply routes, and building alliances with local tribes when necessary. The ancient accounts vary in the specifics, but the consistent theme is that he could be relied upon to command separate forces far from Alexander, attesting to the king’s immense faith in him.

ALEXANDER AND HEPHAESTION

Among the most discussed aspects of Craterus’s life in modern scholarship is his antagonistic dispute with Hephaestion. At one point, the two men came to blows and drew their swords in anger at each other. Alexander, rushing to the fore, demanded they step down, or he would remove them both personally. They never argued again.

Arrian claimed that the Macedonian king considered Craterus "the most faithful ... and treasured him more than his own eyes." It is important to note that neither of the rivals betrayed Alexander, while many others did.

Nevertheless, to reduce Craterus’s importance to purely a “military friend” is an oversimplification. Alexander’s empire required not just winning battles but also integrating conquered peoples, establishing administrative systems, and balancing the desires of the Macedonian rank-and-file with Alexander’s aspirations for cultural fusion. Craterus was generally seen as a champion of the Macedonian officer class, resistant to some of Alexander’s attempts to adopt Persian court customs. This put Craterus in subtle opposition to Hephaestion, who appeared more amenable to Alexander’s policy of “fusion” between Greeks, Macedonians, and Persians.

The tension between Hephaestion and Craterus came to a head on at least one occasion, compelling Alexander to step in and remind them both of their responsibilities. The sources claim that Alexander’s hand forced both of them to never raise their tongues or swords at each other again. no lasting rift appears to have developed that imperiled Macedonian unity, and both generals maintained their positions of trust until Hephaestion’s untimely death in 324 BCE.

INDIA

As Alexander pushed farther east, culminating in the grueling campaigns in India (modern-day Punjab region), Craterus solidified his standing as one of the most vital cogs in the Macedonian machine. The Battle of the Hydaspes River (326 BCE) against King Porus tested Alexander’s army in a new environment—monsoons, swollen rivers, war elephants, and unfamiliar terrain all contributed to a challenging campaign. This confrontation is often singled out as one of the masterpieces of Alexander’s military career, but it was a masterpiece realized through meticulous planning and robust subordinate leadership. Craterus played a key role in the crossing of the Hydaspes and in following up with a timely cavalry charge or supportive infantry movements when needed.

After the Hydaspes and the subjugation (or at least partial accommodation) of various local rulers, Alexander’s troops famously mutinied at the Hyphasis River, unwilling to press further into the unknown interior of the Indian subcontinent. Craterus’s stance during this critical episode suggests that he, along with other senior officers, recognized the exhaustion of the army and the limits of Macedonian morale. Although Craterus is not explicitly cited as the leading voice among the discontented soldiers, it is probable he shared their concerns. His rapport with the rank-and-file meant that Alexander considered his viewpoints carefully, even if the king was initially frustrated by the reluctance of his men to advance. When Alexander finally agreed to turn back, the effort to lead the troops home was partially overseen by Craterus. He commanded part of the forces overland, while Alexander took the rest down the Indus River. This division of command highlights the trust Alexander placed in Craterus to return safely with a sizable portion of the army through the rugged Gedrosian desert and back into Persia.

POST-INDIAN CAMPAIGN

Upon returning to the Persian heartlands around 324 BCE, the Macedonians found themselves facing new challenges. These included the politics of integrating Persian nobility into the Macedonian court, the introduction of oriental customs that some traditionalists rejected, and the delicate balance of power among Alexander’s top generals. Craterus’s profile during this period is notable: he was appointed to succeed Antipater as regent in Macedonia, effectively placing him in a position of high authority in the European portion of Alexander’s dominion. The arrangement, however, was never fully realized in Alexander’s lifetime because a variety of political and logistical issues delayed Craterus’s departure for the west.

While still in the East, Alexander orchestrated mass weddings at Susa in 324 BCE, where many Macedonian officers—Craterus included—married Persian noblewomen as part of Alexander’s campaign of “fusion.” These unions served both political and cultural ends, binding Macedonian officers to the families of the conquered Persian aristocracy. Despite his known conservatism, Craterus complied. He married Amastris, a Persian noblewoman, though ancient sources provide differing details of her lineage. Some accounts suggest she was related to the Persian royal house, underscoring Alexander’s intention to cement alliances through matrimony.

END OF ALEXANDER

Alexander left unexpectedly in Babylon in June 323 BCE, leaving behind a vast empire with no clear and capable adult heir. His death triggered an immediate crisis among his top generals, later referred to as the Diadochi (successors). Craterus stood at a pivotal juncture during these struggles: he had been recognized as one of Alexander’s most reliable generals and was entrusted, at least nominally, with overseeing Macedonia. But with Alexander gone, the question became: who would hold real power.

The initial solution among the generals was to appoint Philip III Arrhidaeus, Alexander’s half-brother, as king, and later recognize Alexander IV, the posthumous son of Alexander and Roxana, as co-king. In practice, however, genuine control fell to the regents and influential generals. Perdiccas maneuvered to assume a de facto regency, while Antipater, who had effectively governed Macedonia during Alexander’s campaigns, defended his existing power base in Europe. Ptolemy seized Egypt and maintained a semi-autonomous stance. Craterus threw his lot in with Antipater and Antigonus, seeking to keep the empire intact or at least remain a central figure within the royal administration.

DIADOCHI

In the grand narrative of Alexander’s conquests, Craterus was overshadowed by the unique mystique of Hephaestion, the dynastic claims of Perdiccas, and the subsequent success of Ptolemy and Seleucus.

Even after Alexander’s death, Craterus’s willingness to defend Macedonian interests in Europe and his swift action against rebellious Greek city-states underscored his commitment to preserving the empire’s stability. Unfortunately, the fractious nature of the Diadochi struggles meant that Craterus, despite his vast talent, would find himself battling former comrades like Eumenes. His demise was emblematic of a transition: from the unified era of Alexander’s campaigns to a partitioned, fiercely contested Hellenistic world.

Conclusion

Craterus’s life story embodies both the triumphs and the tragedies of Alexander’s conquests. Rising to prominence under Philip II’s revolutionary military system, he distinguished himself in every major campaign against the Persian Empire. He helped secure victories at crucial battles, from Issus to Gaugamela, from the subdued Persian heartlands to the difficult campaigns in Bactria and Sogdiana, and finally in India. Through these ordeals, he became inseparable from Alexander’s successes, offering steadiness and discipline in a world of constant upheaval.

Craterus’s relationship with Alexander was multifaceted, extending beyond mere professional loyalty into personal friendship, though differently colored than the king’s friendship with Hephaestion. His position as a champion of Macedonian tradition made him popular among the rank-and-file, balancing Alexander’s more radical attempts to blend Persian and Macedonian cultures. This delicate tension contributed to some friction with Hephaestion, yet neither allowed it to undermine their collective responsibility in forging one of the ancient world’s most expansive empires.

His untimely death at the hands of Eumenes during the early Wars of the Diadochi in marked the end of a remarkable military career. It was a loss that reverberated among his fellow generals.

In hindsight, Craterus may not enjoy the same level of name recognition as Alexander’s other notable companions. Still, the soldiers and historians of the time recognized him as a cornerstone of Alexander’s success. In the end, his legacy is that of a steadfast warrior, a loyal lieutenant, and indeed, as many ancient authors stated, a “friend” to Alexander in every sense that mattered to the soldiers of Macedon. His life and deeds serve as a poignant reminder that even history’s greatest conquerors lean heavily on the talents, courage, and fidelity of those who stand beside them—and few stood more loyally beside Alexander than Craterus.