Nicanor

Who is Nicanor?

Nicanor, a Macedonian officer under Cassander, by whom he was secretly despatched immediately on the death of Antipater, 319 BC, to take the command of the Macedonian garrison at Munychia, in Attica. Nicanor arrived at Athens before the news of Antipater's death, and thus readily obtained possession of the fortress, which he afterwards refused to give up notwithstanding the orders of Polyperchon.

He however entered into friendly relations with Phocion, and through his means began to negotiate with the Athenians, who demanded the withdrawal of the Macedonian garrison from Munychia, according to the decree just issued by Polyperchon. But while he thus deluded them with false hopes, instead of surrendering Munychia, he took the opportunity to surprise the Piraeus also, and, having occupied it with a strong garrison, declared his intention to hold both fortresses for Cassander.

In vain did Olympias, at this time on friendly terms with the regent, unite in commanding him to withdraw his troops: nor did Alexander, the son of Polyperchon, who arrived in Attica the following spring at the head of a considerable army, effect anything more. Shortly after, Cassander himself arrived with a fleet of thirty-five ships, and Nicanor immediately put him in possession of the Piraeus, while he himself retained the command of Munychia.