Alexander of Pherae

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Alexander of Pherae was the tyrant of Pherae in Thessaly, ruling from about 369 to 356 BC. After Jason of Pherae was killed in 370 BC, his brother Polyphron ruled for a year, but Alexander poisoned him and took power. He ruled harshly, trying to control all of Thessaly and even meddling in the kingdom of Macedon. He also led pirate raids on Attica.

Alexander was murdered by his wife Thebe’s brothers—Tisiphonus, Lycophron, and Peitholaus—because Thebe feared him and hated his cruelty.

Ancient accounts differ on how Alexander came to power. Some say Polydorus, Jason’s brother, ruled briefly after Jason’s death and was poisoned by Alexander. Others say Polyphron killed Polydorus and was then killed by Alexander himself. The stories vary, but the main point is that Alexander seized power and ruled as a harsh tyrant.

Thessaly did not accept Alexander easily. They asked for help from Macedon. King Alexander II came into Thessaly, took some cities, and the Thessalians then turned to Thebes for aid. Thebes sent Pelopidas. Pelopidas initially drove out the Macedonian garrison, but Alexander fled when Pelopidas confronted him over his cruelty.

In the following years, Alexander kept trying to subdue Thessaly, especially Magnesia and Phthiotis. The Theban army, led by Pelopidas, returned and defeated him at Cynoscephalae, where Pelopidas was killed. After this, Alexander had to give back conquered towns and became a dependent ally of Thebes, joining the Boeotian League.

After Epaminondas died in 362 BC, Athens felt less fear of Thebes, and Alexander began to raid the Aegean coast, attacking islands and even landing in Attica. The Athenians, led by Leosthenes, defeated him at sea and freed Peparethus, but Alexander still escaped and plundered the Piraeus.

Alexander’s murder is placed around 357/356 BC. Plutarch gives a vivid tale of the murder: Thebe hid her brothers in the house and, after removing a guard dog, lured Alexander to his chamber and killed him with their help. His body was cast into the streets. Thebe’s motive is debated—fear of his cruelty, anger over his treatment of her, or jealousy over a young man he kept as a lover. Some stories also say he once refused to cry at a tragedy in the theatre, showing how hard and unfeeling he could be.