Hephaestion

Son of Amyntor, of Pella; Alexander's φίλτατος (dearest) from boyhood, in the Achilles-Patroclus framing Alexander himself cultivated (Arr. *Anab.* 1.12.1; Plut. *Alex.* 39; the joint wreath-laying at the tombs at Troy in 334 where Alexander honoured Achilles and Hephaestion honoured Patroclus). Commander of a Companion cavalry hipparchy, chiliarch (grand vizier in the Achaemenid style) from 324. Died at Ecbatana in autumn 324 of a sudden fever, probably in his early thirties (Arr. 7.14 + Plut. 72 are silent on age, which is inferred from his assumed age-mate status with Alexander); Alexander's grief, Plutarch 72 and Arrian 7.14 record, was extravagant — he cut his hair, had the doctor crucified, ordered Hephaestion's pyre built to an unheard-of cost and a state cult established. Alexander himself died eight months later.

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