Harpalus
| Harpalus | |
|---|---|
| Born | 4th century BC | 
| Died | 323 BC | 
| Occupation | Treasurer | 
| Years active | 330 BC-324 BC | 
| Father | Machatas of Elimeia | 
Harpalus (Greek: Ἅρπαλος), son of Machatas, was a Macedonian aristocrat and childhood friend of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC. Harpalus was repeatedly entrusted with official duties by Alexander and absconded with large sums of money on three occasions. Alexander appointed him treasurer of his empire in Babylon in 330 BC. In 324 BC he fled from Babylon to Athens with a large sum of money. The resulting political controversy in Athens ("the Harpalus Affair") was a contributing factor in the Lamian War.