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Philotas (d. October 330 B.C.) was the son of Parmenion, Alexander's most experienced and talented general. Philotas was never able to penetrate Alexander's inner circle. He was widely considered to be pompous and full of himself and as a result often earned the King's disfavor. However, there was no doubt that he was an excellent leader and officer which earned him the appointment as the leader of the Companion Cavalry, the most sought after position in Alexander's army.

His death marks one of the darker moments in the King's history. One day in camp Philotas heard a second or third hand story of a plot by the royal pages to slay Alexander. Philotas neither said nor did anything at this news. It could have been he found the threat to be minimal or that he simply allowed it to proceed. At any rate the plot traveled to the ears of king who after a short and truly unfair trial executed Philotas on extremely weak evidence. The king then sent messengers to murder Parmenion before he could hear the news of his son's death and possibly start a rebellion.

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