Balakros

Balakros (Greek: Bάλακρoς), also Balacrus, the son of Nicanor, one of Alexander the Great's "Somatophylakes" (bodyguards), was appointed satrap of Cilicia after the Battle of Issus, 333 BC.[2] He succeeded to the last Achaemenid satrap of Cilicia, Arsames.

Balakros
Coin of Balakros, Satrap of Cilicia, with letter "B" next to the shield, standing for B[AΛAKPOI].[1] Tarsos. 333-323 BC.
AllegianceMacedonian Empire
Years of servicefl. 333 – 323 BC
RankSomatophylakes (bodyguard) Of Alexander the Great
Satrap of Cilicia
Battles/warsAsia Minor campaigns
Spouse(s)Phila of Macedonia
Cilicia
Location of Cilicia.
Coinage of Alexander the Great struck under Balakros or Menes circa 333-327 BC. The letter "B" appears under the throne of Zeus.

Career

Balakros completed the conquest of Asia Minor together with Calas, satrap of Hellespontine Phrygia, and Antigonus, satrap of Phrygia.[3]

It was probably this Balacrus who married Phila, the daughter of Antipater, and subsequently the wife of Craterus.[4]

He was probably supervised by Menes from 331 BC, who held the position of Hyparch or Strategoi for the area from Babylon to the satrapies of Syria, Phoenicia, and Cilicia.

He fell in battle against the Pisidians in the lifetime of Alexander.[5] His death is variously placed circa 328 BC or 323 BC.[6][7]

Coinage

Balacrus is among several Hellenistic satraps who continued to use an Achaemenid type for their coinage, complete with the local deity of Tarsus, Baal.[8] His coinage bore his name, and later only his initial "B".[3] This coinage is said to have influenced Alexander's imperial coinage, which was initially minted in the same mints.[8] The Imperial coinage of Alexander is often said to have been started in Tarsos circa 333-327, under the rule of either Balacrus or Menes.[9]

  • Coin of Balacrus, as Satrap of Cilicia. Tarsos, 333-323 BC. Baaltars in Aramaic to right on the obverse, letter "B" on the reverse.
  • Coin of Balacrus, as Satrap of Cilicia. Tarsos, 333-323 BC. Letter "B" on the obverse.
  • Coin of Balakros, Satrap of Cilicia, with letter "B". Tarsos. 333-323 BC
  • Possible coinage of Balakros, with the letters "B-A".
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References

Notes
  1. Rider, Georges Le (2007). Alexander the Great: Coinage, Finances, and Policy. American Philosophical Society. p. 153. ISBN 9780871692610.
  2. Arrian, Anabasis Alexandri, ii. 12
  3. Heckel, Waldemar (2008). Who's Who in the Age of Alexander the Great: Prosopography of Alexander's Empire. John Wiley & Sons. p. 84. ISBN 9781405154697.
  4. Photius, Bibliotheca, cod. 166
  5. Diodorus Siculus, Bibliotheca, xviii. 22
  6. Carradice, Ian; Price, Martin (1988). Coinage in the Greek World. Seaby. p. 110. ISBN 9780900652820.
  7. Levante, Edoardo (1993). Cabinet des médailles, Cilicie (in French). Bibliothèque nationale. ISBN 9782717718768.
  8. Mildenberg, Leo (2000). On the so-called satrapal coinage. p. 10 and Note 8.
  9. Howgego, Christopher (2002). Ancient History from Coins. Routledge. p. 49. ISBN 9781134877843.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870). "Balacrus (1)". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. p. 454.

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