# Cleitus the Black

> 4th-century BC Macedonian cavalry officer

**Wikidata**: [Q26341](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q26341)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleitus_the_Black)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cleitus-the-black

## Summary

Cleitus the Black was a 4th-century BCE Macedonian cavalry officer who served under King Alexander III the Great during the Wars of Alexander the Great. He is best known for being a close companion and friend of Alexander, as well as for his death at Alexander's hands in 328 BCE, a notorious incident that occurred after the Battle of the Granicus. As a cavalry commander, Cleitus played a significant role in several of Alexander's military campaigns and was part of the elite Companion cavalry that defined Macedonian warfare during this era.

## Biography

- **Born:** 375 BCE (approximate)
- **Nationality:** Macedonian (citizenship: Q83958)
- **Education:** Military training in the Macedonian tradition, likely under King Philip II
- **Known for:** Serving as a cavalry officer in Alexander the Great's army; close friend of Alexander; death at Alexander's hands in 328 BCE
- **Employer(s):** King Alexander III of Macedon (the Great)
- **Field(s):** Military (cavalry command)

## Contributions

Cleitus the Black's primary contributions were military in nature, serving as a cavalry commander during Alexander the Great's campaigns against the Persian Empire. He participated in the Battle of the Granicus in 334 BCE, one of the first major battles between the Macedonians and Persians. As a member of the Companion cavalry, he was instrumental in key military engagements that expanded Alexander's empire across Asia. His most historically significant contribution, however, may be the incident of his own death in 328 BCE, which has been documented by ancient historians and has become a subject of artistic representation, including an 1898-1899 painting by André Castaigne depicting "The killing of Cleitus."

## FAQs

**Who was Cleitus the Black?**

Cleitus the Black was a 4th-century BCE Macedonian cavalry officer who served under Alexander the Great. He was a member of the elite Companion cavalry and a close friend of the king.

**How did Cleitus the Black die?**

Cleitus the Black was killed by Alexander the Great in 328 BCE during a drunken argument at a banquet. The incident occurred after Alexander's conquests in Asia and became one of the most infamous episodes in Alexander's reign.

**What battles did Cleitus the Black fight in?**

Cleitus the Black fought in several campaigns of the Wars of Alexander the Great, including the Battle of the Granicus in 334 BCE, which was the first major confrontation between Macedonian and Persian forces.

**What was Cleitus the Black's relationship with Alexander the Great?**

Cleitus the Black was a close personal friend and companion of Alexander the Great. He was reportedly saved by Alexander at the Battle of the Granicus, and their relationship was both professional and personal.

**What is Cleitus the Black known for in history?**

Cleitus the Black is known both for his service as a cavalry commander in Alexander's army and for his dramatic death at Alexander's hands, an event that has been studied by historians and depicted in art throughout the centuries.

## Why They Matter

Cleitus the Black matters in history for several interconnected reasons. First, as a cavalry officer in Alexander the Great's army, he represents the military machine that created one of the ancient world's largest empires. The Companion cavalry, which Cleitus commanded, was the shocktroop of Alexander's army and proved decisive in numerous battles against Persian forces. Second, his death at Alexander's hands in 328 BCE provides historians with insight into the psychological toll of conquest on Alexander and the tensions within his inner circle. The incident has been analyzed by ancient sources as evidence of Alexander's increasingly erratic behavior and the strain of his campaigns. Finally, Cleitus represents the human cost of imperial expansion and the complex relationships between conquerors and their officers.

## Notable For

- Served as a cavalry commander in Alexander the Great's army
- Participated in the Battle of the Granicus (334 BCE)
- Close personal friend and companion of Alexander III of Macedon
- Death at Alexander's hands in 328 BCE became a famous historical incident
- Subject of artistic representation, including an 1898-1899 painting by André Castaigne
- Known by the epithet "the Black" to distinguish him from other historical figures named Cleitus

## Body

### Early Life and Background

Cleitus the Black was born around 375 BCE in Macedonia, the ancient Hellenic kingdom that would later produce one of history's most famous conquerors. As a Macedonian nobleman, he would have received training in horsemanship and military tactics from a young age, preparing him for service in the Macedonian army. The Macedonian military tradition emphasized cavalry, and Cleitus would have been trained in the use of the xyston (a long cavalry lance) that made the Companion cavalry such a formidable force. His upbringing in Macedonia during the reign of King Philip II would have exposed him to the military reforms that transformed the Macedonian army into the most powerful fighting force in the ancient world.

### Military Career

Cleitus the Black served as a cavalry officer in the army of Alexander the Great, participating in the Wars of Alexander the Great—a series of conflicts fought by King Alexander III against Greek powers, the Persian Empire, and warlords as far east as India. His most documented military engagement was the Battle of the Granicus in 334 BCE, a pivotal confrontation between Macedonian and Persian forces. During this battle, Alexander personally saved Cleitus's life, an event that solidified their friendship and demonstrated the close bond between the king and his officers. The Companion cavalry, which Cleitus commanded, served as Alexander's personal guard and shock cavalry, breaking enemy lines through devastating charges that became a hallmark of Macedonian warfare.

### Relationship with Alexander

The relationship between Cleitus and Alexander was one of the closest in the king's inner circle. Ancient sources describe Cleitus as a trusted companion who had known Alexander since childhood. This personal connection, combined with Cleitus's military competence, made him one of Alexander's most valued officers. However, the relationship became increasingly strained as Alexander adopted Persian customs and practices following his conquests in Asia. The tension came to a tragic head in 328 BCE when, during a drunken argument at a banquet, Alexander killed Cleitus with a spear. The incident occurred after Cleitus criticized Alexander for adopting Persian customs and for claiming divine honors, prompting the king to fly into a rage.

### Death and Historical Significance

The death of Cleitus the Black in 328 BCE stands as one of the most dramatic episodes in Alexander's reign and has been extensively analyzed by ancient historians. According to sources, the argument began when Cleitus defended Macedonian traditions against Alexander's increasing adoption of Persian customs. Alexander, in a drunken rage, killed Cleitus with a spear. The king reportedly regretted the act immediately and was devastated by what he had done. This incident has been interpreted by historians as evidence of the psychological toll of conquest on Alexander, as well as the cultural tensions between Macedonian traditionalists and those who accepted Persian ways. The event has also become a subject of artistic representation, most notably in an 1898-1899 painting by André Castaigne titled "The killing of Cleitus."

### Legacy and Historical Records

Cleitus the Black's legacy survives primarily through ancient historical accounts of Alexander's campaigns and his death. The incident has been referenced by historians throughout the centuries as an example of the complexities of Alexander's character and the human drama behind the conquests. Modern references include his appearance in various historical databases and encyclopedias, with entries in Wikidata (Q5 instance as human), multiple language Wikipedia articles, and various historical reference works. His wikidata_description identifies him simply as "4th-century BC Macedonian cavalry officer," though his life story encompasses far more than this brief summary suggests. The various identifiers attached to his record (including P646: /m/07jzck, P1417: biography/Cleitus, and numerous others) reflect his presence across multiple knowledge bases and historical databases.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013