I gave an answer to this below, but briefly on the chiliarch position. It appears that what Alexander did was recreate the Persian hazarapatish position, which was largely a civil service position, not a military one. If we break down Hephaistion's known assignments systematically and look at the results, we find that almost 4 to 1 they are diplomatic-logistical in nature. Now, statistics are VERY tricky, especially when working with such a limited number of examples (I believe my final numbers was 28 or 29 total known assignments?). But when we fine such a strong, predominant pattern, I do think it representative of a trend. Alexander used Hephaistion for exactly what his friend was good at. In an even MORE stark affirmation of this, in every case where Hephaistion is in military command of a unit, he's sharing command with another, more experienced officer (Perdikkas, Demetrios, Peithon or Alexander himself). YET, of Alexander's own personal circle, it is Hephaistion who receives and independent commission at the younges age (to find a king for Sidon). It's just that this was diplomatic, not military.
In antiquity, they valued combat command over diplomatic and administrative/logistical. This is something that many modern historians do, as well, consciously or unconsciously (more often). Hephaistion's talents were not for combat command. He seems to have been competent, but that's all. By contrast, he excelled at administration ... and perhaps that's one reason why he and ATG got along. He was no real threat to what Alexander did well himself (like Krateros was). Anyway, that's why he was appointed to be Chiliarch of Asia/Persia. It was an administrative post and he was a gifted administrator. ;>
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2004-12-08 02:40 am (UTC)In antiquity, they valued combat command over diplomatic and administrative/logistical. This is something that many modern historians do, as well, consciously or unconsciously (more often). Hephaistion's talents were not for combat command. He seems to have been competent, but that's all. By contrast, he excelled at administration ... and perhaps that's one reason why he and ATG got along. He was no real threat to what Alexander did well himself (like Krateros was). Anyway, that's why he was appointed to be Chiliarch of Asia/Persia. It was an administrative post and he was a gifted administrator. ;>