Alexander's best friend
Hephaestion was grown an educated together with Alexander by the same teacher, Aristotle. Although he had not many military skills he was often in charge of critical missions. In 332 B.C. he became commander of Sidon and later he become commander of the fleet. He was fighting in the battle of Gaugamila as leader of Alexander's bodyguards and he was wounded at his arm. After the execution of Philotas in 330 B.C. he became "ipparchos" (leader of horsemen) together with Kleitus.
He helped very much Alexander to arrest Poros and also helped him to pass river Indus.He supported Alexander's politics, and founded many cities in Asia. He was married in 324 B.C. at Susa with the Persian woman Drypetin who was the sister of Alexander's wife. However, the same year Hephaestion took part in the athletic and music Games of Ecvatana. During these games he was fallen ill and in the seventh day of the Games he died. Alexander was shocked very much by his friend's death and was in mouming and refused to eat for 3 days. The games were paused and the priests put out all the "holy fires" at the temples. Hephaestion's body was buried in Babylon in a magnificent tomb .
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