Patrokles Patroklid

Patrokles (334 - 266 BC) was a prominent military commander during the reign of Seleukos I Nikator. Of humble birth he proved himself a capable commander during the Gerrha campaign and Seleukid-Antigonid War, and was later adopted into the prominent Andromachi family.

Career
Patrokles was first assigned command of the Gerrha campaign. With the counterinvasion of Mesopotamia by Pantaokros Antigonid via the Tigris, he was quickly ordered to assemble a force and march north to block his advance. He would later command the forces sent south to command the loyalty of the cities of the levant.

As he was the only commander available in the area, he met the Ktesiphon Rebels in battle at Seleukeia Megala, where he rallied the cavalry for a charge against the rebels, giving time for his infantry to escape. His quick action and the casualties he inflicted prevented, even though defeated, the rebels from besieging the city and gave enough time for Seleukos I Nikator to return from Syria with the army.

Later in life he was put in command of the Seleukid forces guarding the frontier with the Antigonids. While there he reworked the whole infrastructure of his command, greatly improving efficiency.

Syrian Rebellion
When the Syrian Rebellion erupted Patrokles was in command of the Seleukid forces in Syria. He moved quickly to subdue the rebellion in Palmyra before subduing the rebel stronghold of Batnae. He positioned himself at Marde and so contained the rebellion to the north of Assyria. In 276 BC he saw an opportunity to defeat the rebels in the field, de facto ending the rebellion in Syria.

After the rebellion
Patrokles' long military service earned him great prestige. Antiochos I would watch him with suspicion for the rest of his life, but would not, or could not, remove him from his position. Taking advantage of his popularity Patrokles instituted land settlements for his veterans in Syria just before his dead.