Cleitus the Black (375-328 BC) was a Macedonian general who served under Alexander the Great. He was made Satrap of Bactria by Alexander, whose live he had saved at the Battle of the Granicus, only to be killed by his former friend in a drunken quarrel in 328 BC.
Biography[]
Cleitus was born in Macedon, Ancient Greece in 375 BC, and he served under Philip II of Macedon, becoming his favorite officer. He went on to serve his son Alexander the Great loyally, saving his life at the Battle of the Granicus in 334 BC. In 328 BC, Alexander made Cleitus the Satrap of Bactria, but, at a drinking party that same night, he drunkenly argued with Alexander after he was ordered to take 16,000 defeated Greek mercenaries to fight the steppe nomads in Central Asia, which would reduce Cleitus to a second-rate, forgettable general. When Alexander boasted of his achievements, Cleitus claimed that Alexander was illegitimate and that he owed all of his achievements to his father. Alexander demanded that they fight to the death with daggers, but Cleitus was ushered out of the room for his own safety. When he returned to continue berating Alexander, Alexander acquired a javelin and threw it through Cleitus' heart, killing him. After sobering up the next day, Alexander deeply regretted Cleitus' death.