# Craterus

> Macedonian general under Alexander the Great

**Wikidata**: [Q297390](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q297390)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craterus)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/craterus

## Summary
Craterus was a prominent Macedonian general and military leader who served under Alexander the Great during the expansion of the ancient Hellenic kingdom. He is historically significant for his command roles in the Lamian War and the First War of the Diadochi, including the pivotal Battle of the Hellespont in 321 BCE. As a key figure in the succession conflicts following Alexander's death, he remains a documented subject in historical scholarship regarding ancient military history.

## Biography
- **Born**: Approximately 370 BCE (specific place not detailed in source, though associated with Macedonia)
- **Nationality**: Macedonian (Citizenship: Ancient Hellenic kingdom of Macedonia)
- **Education**: Not specified in source material
- **Known for**: Serving as a high-ranking general under Alexander the Great and leading Macedonian forces in the Wars of the Diadochi
- **Employer(s)**: The ancient kingdom of Macedonia; served under Alexander the Great
- **Field(s)**: Military leadership, Ancient warfare, Historical scholarship (as a subject)

## Contributions
Craterus's primary contributions were military in nature, involving the command of troops and strategic leadership in major conflicts of the late 4th century BCE.
- **Military Command**: Led Macedonian forces as a general under Alexander the Great, contributing to the military successes of the ancient kingdom.
- **Lamian War**: Commanded forces during the Lamian War, a conflict fought by a coalition of Greek cities against Macedon and its ally Boeotia.
- **First War of the Diadochi**: Played a central role in the First War of the Diadochi, the struggle for control of Alexander's empire among his successors.
- **Battle of the Hellespont**: Led troops in the Battle of the Hellespont in 321 BCE, a significant engagement in the succession wars.

## FAQs
**What was Craterus's primary role in ancient history?**
Craterus served as a Macedonian general and military leader, most notably under the command of Alexander the Great. He is recognized for his leadership in major conflicts such as the Lamian War and the First War of the Diadochi.

**Which specific battles did Craterus participate in?**
He was a key commander in the Battle of the Hellespont, which took place in 321 BCE. Additionally, he led forces during the Lamian War against the coalition of Greek cities and Boeotia.

**What is the historical significance of the First War of the Diadochi regarding Craterus?**
This war represented the initial struggle for power among Alexander the Great's successors, known as the Diadochi. Craterus was a central figure in this conflict, utilizing his military expertise to fight for Macedonian interests.

**How is Craterus remembered by modern historians?**
He is categorized as a military leader and a subject of historical study, with numerous scholarly works dedicated to his life and campaigns. His actions are documented in the context of the ancient Hellenic kingdom and the wars that followed Alexander's death.

## Why They Matter
Craterus matters because he represents a critical link between the era of Alexander the Great and the subsequent fragmentation of his empire. His military leadership helped define the early phases of the Wars of the Diadochi, shaping the political landscape of the ancient Mediterranean. Without his involvement in conflicts like the Lamian War and the Battle of the Hellespont, the balance of power among the successor states might have shifted differently. His life provides historians with essential data on the strategies and outcomes of post-Alexandrian warfare, influencing our understanding of how the ancient Hellenic world transitioned into the Hellenistic period.

## Notable For
- Serving as a top-tier general under Alexander the Great.
- Commanding Macedonian forces in the Lamian War against Greek coalitions.
- Leading the Macedonian army at the Battle of the Hellespont in 321 BCE.
- Being a central participant in the First War of the Diadochi.
- Holding citizenship in the ancient kingdom of Macedonia.
- Being the subject of extensive historical analysis and sitelinks in modern databases.
- Having his name recorded in multiple languages and scripts (e.g., Κρατερός, Cràtero, krateros).

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Craterus was a human being born around 370 BCE, originating from the ancient Hellenic kingdom of Macedonia. He is classified as a citizen of this kingdom, which was a major power in the ancient world. His identity is firmly rooted in the military culture of Macedonia, where he rose to prominence as a member of the armed forces. Historical records identify him as a specific individual within the genus Homo sapiens, unique in his contributions to the era's military history.

### Military Career and Leadership
As a military personnel, Craterus served in an organized armed military force, eventually ascending to the rank of military leader. His career was defined by his ability to lead armies and troops in war and battle. He is most famously associated with his service under Alexander the Great, where he functioned as a trusted general. His leadership was not limited to a single campaign; he was instrumental in multiple major conflicts that shaped the region.

### Major Conflicts and Campaigns
Craterus's military career was marked by participation in several defining wars of the late 4th century BCE.
- **The Lamian War**: He fought in this conflict, which was characterized by a coalition of Greek cities rising against Macedon and its ally, Boeotia. His role was crucial in the Macedonian response to this uprising.
- **The First War of the Diadochi**: Following Alexander's death, Craterus became a key player in the First War of the Diadochi. This war was a power struggle among the generals vying for control of the empire.
- **Battle of the Hellespont**: A specific and documented engagement in his career was the Battle of the Hellespont, fought in 321 BCE. This battle was a significant event in the ongoing succession wars.

### Historical Documentation and Legacy
Craterus is a well-documented figure in the field of history, studied by historians who explore and present the past. His life and deeds are the subject of numerous academic resources, indicated by a high sitelink count in historical databases. He is recognized as a specific instance of a human and a military leader in structured knowledge bases. His name appears in various forms across different languages and scripts, including Κρατερός, Cràtero, and krateros, reflecting his enduring presence in historical records.

### Data and Identification
Modern digital archives and academic sources have assigned Craterus specific identifiers to track his historical footprint. These include unique IDs such as 667018, 0020510, and 119190, which link to biographical data. His entry is associated with the Wikipedia title "Craterus" and a Wikidata description identifying him as a "Macedonian general under Alexander the Great." Visual representations of his era, such as the "Pella Lion Hunt Mosaic," are often linked to his context, while audio pronunciations of his name exist in languages like French. These digital footprints ensure that his contributions to the First War of the Diadochi, the Lamian War, and the Battle of the Hellespont remain accessible for future study.

## References

1. Genealogics
2. Oxford Classical Dictionary (4th rev. ed.)
3. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki/Q524126)
4. [Source](http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/141951/Craterus)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013