Harpalus (c. 355–324 BC)

Macedonian treasurer. Harpalus had been a boyhood friend of Alexander the Great and became his military paymaster. Having been put in charge of Alexander's central imperial treasury in Babylon, he embezzled large sums and fled to Greece to seek refuge in Athens 325 BC with an army of mercenaries and a large amount of money.

Harpalus' admission to Athens was opposed by the Athenian orator Demosthenes, but he entered without his troops. He attempted to bribe the Athenian politicians to obtain support against Alexander, but Demosthenes proposed that he should be imprisoned. His treasure was lodged for safekeeping in the Acropolis under the control of Demosthenes and others until Alexander's officers could arrive to claim it. Harpalus escaped and half of his money disappeared. Demosthenes was accused of having been bribed to connive in Harpalus' escape and he was imprisoned. Harpalus meanwhile had taken refuge in Crete, where he was murdered.