Megaleas of Macedon
Encyclopedia
Megaleas was the royal secretary (basilikos grammateus)
to Antigonus III of Macedon, who appointed him, by his will, to the same office under Philip V
, his ward and successor (220 BC). Megaleas was entirely under the influence of the advisor Apelles, and readily entered into his treasonable designs (218 BC), to baffle the operations of Philip in his war against the Aetolians
. Their treachery, however, was counteracted by Aratus of Sicyon
, and the latter accordingly was assailed with personal violence by the royal friends (philoi
) Megaleas, Leontius, and Crinon, at Limnaea, in Acarnania
, when Philip had returned thither from his successful campaign in Aetolia. For this offence Megaleas and Crinon were thrown into prison 'till they should find security for a fine twenty talents
, but Megaleas was released on the bail of Leontius, who had contrived to escape in the tumullt for which his accomplices were punished.
In the same year (218) Megaleas and Leontius excited a mutiny at Corinth among the troops of Philip. It was soon quelled; and, though the king knew who had been the authors of it, he dissembled his knowledge, and Megaleas and his chief accomplices were still holding high military rank when Apelles returned to court from Chalcis. The reception, however, of the latter proved that he had quite lost his master's confidence, and Megaleas fled in alarm to Athens; and being refused refugee there, betook himself to Thebes. Here he continued his impotent and rancorous course of treason by writing letters to the Aetolians, filled with abuse of Philip, and with strong exhortations to them to persevere in the war against him, as his finances were exhausted. The letters were intercepted and brought to the king, who thereupon despatched Alexander to Thebes, to sue Megaleas for the amount of his fine; and the traitor, not venturing to abide the issue of the trial, put an end to his own life.
Royal Secretary
Royal Secretary is a position at the court of a monarch generally responsible for communicating the sovereign's wishes to the other members of government. At times and places it may have a number of other duties. In most cases the royal secretary is a close adviser of the monarch...
to Antigonus III of Macedon, who appointed him, by his will, to the same office under Philip V
Philip V of Macedon
Philip V was King of Macedon from 221 BC to 179 BC. Philip's reign was principally marked by an unsuccessful struggle with the emerging power of Rome. Philip was attractive and charismatic as a young man...
, his ward and successor (220 BC). Megaleas was entirely under the influence of the advisor Apelles, and readily entered into his treasonable designs (218 BC), to baffle the operations of Philip in his war against the Aetolians
Aetolian League
The Aetolian League was a confederation of tribal communities and cities in ancient Greece centered on Aetolia in central Greece. It was established, probably during the early Hellenistic era, in opposition to Macedon and the Achaean League. Two annual meetings were held in Thermika and Panaetolika...
. Their treachery, however, was counteracted by Aratus of Sicyon
Aratus of Sicyon
Aratus was a statesman of the ancient Greek city-state of Sicyon and a leader of the Achaean League. He deposed the Sicyonian tyrant Nicocles in 251 BC. Aratus was an advocate of Greek unity and brought Sicyon into the Achaean League, which he led to its maximum extent...
, and the latter accordingly was assailed with personal violence by the royal friends (philoi
Philoi
Philoi was a title to the royal friends, advisors of the king in ancient Macedonia. They were the personal choice of the king and they might have came from anywhere in the Greek world. The title became common among the Hellenistic kingdoms...
) Megaleas, Leontius, and Crinon, at Limnaea, in Acarnania
Acarnania
Acarnania is a region of west-central Greece that lies along the Ionian Sea, west of Aetolia, with the Achelous River for a boundary, and north of the gulf of Calydon, which is the entrance to the Gulf of Corinth. Today it forms the western part of the prefecture of Aetolia-Acarnania. The capital...
, when Philip had returned thither from his successful campaign in Aetolia. For this offence Megaleas and Crinon were thrown into prison 'till they should find security for a fine twenty talents
Attic talent
The Attic talent , also known as the Athenian talent or Greek talent, is an ancient unit of mass equal to 26 kg, as well as a unit of value equal to this amount of pure silver. A talent was originally intended to be the mass of water required to fill an amphora . At the 2009 price of $414/kg, a...
, but Megaleas was released on the bail of Leontius, who had contrived to escape in the tumullt for which his accomplices were punished.
In the same year (218) Megaleas and Leontius excited a mutiny at Corinth among the troops of Philip. It was soon quelled; and, though the king knew who had been the authors of it, he dissembled his knowledge, and Megaleas and his chief accomplices were still holding high military rank when Apelles returned to court from Chalcis. The reception, however, of the latter proved that he had quite lost his master's confidence, and Megaleas fled in alarm to Athens; and being refused refugee there, betook himself to Thebes. Here he continued his impotent and rancorous course of treason by writing letters to the Aetolians, filled with abuse of Philip, and with strong exhortations to them to persevere in the war against him, as his finances were exhausted. The letters were intercepted and brought to the king, who thereupon despatched Alexander to Thebes, to sue Megaleas for the amount of his fine; and the traitor, not venturing to abide the issue of the trial, put an end to his own life.