Philotas Philotas ( in Greek , Φιλώτας , died October 330 BC ) was the eldest son of Parmenion , Alexander ' s most experienced and talented general . When Alexander became king of Macedonia ( 336 BC ) with Parmenion ' s support , he and his relations were rewarded with offices and commissions . Philotas was promoted , from a commander of a cavalry squadron to commander of the Companions , the corps of Macedonian cavalry that also provided bodyguards and attendants to the King . ( In battle , Alexander rode with and led this cavalry corps ; they were , literally , his " companions , " therefore the name . ) Philotas , though a highly capable officer , was widely perceived as arrogant and pompous ; he was never able to master the role of courtier , was often a center of conflict , and often earned the King ' s disfavour . In the latter part of 330 BC , Philotas was accused of conspiring against Alexander . He had been subject to similar reports previously , though the case against him in 330 was more serious ; his accusers included the commander Coenus , who was married to Philotas ' sister . Philotas was tried and convicted , tortured to reveal the extent of the conspiracy , then stoned or speared to death with other convicted plotters . The execution of Philotas necessitated the removal of Parmenion , who , while innocent of any plotting , was judged unreliable once his son and heir had been put to death . Alexander sent assassins to kill Parmenion before the news of his son ' s execution reached him . In literature and film . The story of Philotas was dramatized in 1604 by the English poet and playwright Samuel Daniel . A performance of the eponymously named play earned Daniel the unwelcome scrutiny of the Privy Council , because of a perceived resemblance between the play ' s protagonist and Robert Devereux , Earl of Essex , executed for rebellion and treason in 1601 . In the film " Alexander " ( 2004 ) , Philotas is played by Joseph Morgan , and in the film " Alexander the Great " ( 1956 ) , Philotas is played by Rubén Rojo . " Philotas " by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing . The German dramatist and critic Gotthold Ephraim Lessing also adapted the story ; his play " Philotas " dates to 1759 . It was written during the Enlightenment and when Prussia was a major player in Germany . The drama was also written during the Seven Years ' War ( 1756 – 1763 ) between Prussia and Hannover , against France , Austria , Switzerland , and Spain for control over regions such as Silesia and Saxony . The play tells the story of prince - commander Philotas , a young and impulsive heir , who is made prisoner during his first battle . While captive , Philotas is visited by King Arideus , a former friend of his father . While in warm dialogue with Philotas , Arideus tells him that his own son has also been made captive by the other side , and that both kings are planning an exchange of prisoners . Soon afterwards , Philotas is seen by Parmenio , his father ' s messenger , who asks him about when the exchange of prisoners will take place . Philotas pleas with Parmenio for more time , and requests an extra day prior to the exchange . Philotas then begins a heavy monologue , filled with moral and ethical questions , about whether remaining alive would better serve his father ' s interests , especially considering that he is in possession of Arideus ' son . Philotas concludes that the most appropriate thing to do is to kill himself , to preserve his father ' s dominion over the lands in dispute . He then manages to obtain a sword from Arideus , claiming it would ' fit him better ' before meeting the squadron , something Arideus has asked him to do . The legitimacy of Philotas ' suicide is a subject of discussion in modern theatre and ethics education . A common question is whether Philotas ' suicide was necessary , and whether Lessing desired to praise , or else criticise , the strong moral codes that dominated Prussia during the 18th century , which according to many scholars were key to the survival of the Prussian empire . Among the values exalted by the Prussian morale were : prudence , modesty , hard work , honesty , fairness , courage , strictness with oneself , order , duty , punctuality , integrity , austerity , loyalty , and subordination to power .