Harpalus: an Actor of
Alexander’s Policy

Rebecca E. Nagel (Guadalupe Alternative Programs)

Alexander's childhood friend and later financial treasurer, Harpalos, has been viewed by history as his greatest betrayer. Twice this man who controlled Alexander's wealth journeyed to Athens and gave away the Great King's money.Historians such as W.W. Tarn, E. Badian, W. Heckel, and I. Worthington, following closely and rather uncritically the storyline found in the sources (Diod. 17.109, 6-7, Curt. 10.1.1-10.2.1, Arr. 6.27.3), conclude that Harpalus betrayed Alexander and stole his wealth. In doing so, they fail to consider the long-recognized bias in the sources, in which the Alexander story is told as a drama of hubris, in which the downfall of characters like Harpalus proves the corrupting nature of the Persian culture. Harpalus plays a Judas figure, a betrayer obsessed by the same greed that corrupted Alexander. Accordingly, Harpalus’ actions are interpreted as two frantic incidents of self-preservation, motivated by his fear of Alexander’s wrath. But this explanation depends upon Harpalus’ immoral and irrational character rather than the actual context of his relationship with Alexander and his administrative role. Considering Alexander’s administration, and what we know about the sources' dim view of Alexander's "Eastern" decadence, it is appropriate to see Harpalos’ disappearance to Athens not as a flight in fear but rather as a conscious mission of international espionage.

Building off the arguments of Peter Green and Robin Lane Fox, this paper argues that Harpalus actually set off on two secret missions to pacify Athens. In 333/332, Harpalus negotiated with Athens in order to dissuade them from joining the Spartan rebellion. When Athens pushed for rebellion in 324, Harpalus intervened again, using Alexander’s enormous wealth to distract them from organizing against the Exiles Decree. It will be shown that Harpalus acted within Alexander’s consistent administrative policy: dismantling political threats by encouraging inner division.

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