Agathocles of Pella

Agathocles (Greek: Ἀγαθοκλῆς, flourished 4th century BC) was a Greek nobleman who was a contemporary to King Philip II of Macedon (reigned 359 BC–336 BC).

Agathocles was a Thessalian serf^[1] from Crannon.^[2][3] His father’s name may have been Alcimachus. It was through his flattery that Agathocles became an intimate friend of Philip II,^[1] who raised him to high rank.^[4] Agathocles and his family were granted Macedonian citizenship.^[2] Agathocles shared in Philip II’s councils and Phillip II sent him to deal with the Perrhaebi and Agathocles took charge of affairs in that area.^[1]

There is a possibility that Phillip II rewarded Agathocles for his services with estates in Pella.^[1] Agathocles became a favorite in the Argead court in Pella and his family assimilated into Macedonian society.^[1]

Agathocles married an unnamed Greek woman, a local Thessalian, perhaps called Arsinoe. They had four sons:

• Alcimachus^[5]
• Lysimachus,^[5] one of the Diadochi of Alexander the Great^[6]
• Autodicus^[5]
• Philip^[5]