A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

(Ἑκαταῖος), tyrant of Cardia, is first mentioned as one of the friends of Alexander the Great, and was selected by that monarch immediately after his accession (B. C. 336) to under-take the perilous duty of putting down the threatened revolt of Attalus in Asia. He crossed over to that continent with a considerable force, with which he joined the army of Parmenion; but after consulting with that general, he deemed it inexpedient to attempt his object by open force, and caused Attalus to be secretly assassinated. (Diod. 17.2, 5; comp. Curt. 7.1.3.) As we find no mention of Hecataeus during the operations of Alexander in Asia, it must be presumed that

for some reason or another he did not accompany him in this expedition. (See, however, Curt. 7.1.38.) Nor do we know ally thing of the steps by which he raised himself to the sovereignty of his native city; but it appears that he must have done so long before the death of Alexander, as we are told that his fellow-citizen, Eumenes, frequently employed his influence with the king, though ineffectually, to induce him to expel Hecataeus, and restore freedom to Cardia. (Plut. Eum. 3.) He seems to have enjoyed a high place in the confidence of Antipater, as he was chosen by him as his deputy to Leonnatus, to invoke the assistance of the latter in the Lamian war (B. C. 323). Leonnatus sought on this occasion to effect a reconciliation between Hecataeus and Eumenes, but without success; and the latter, mistrusting the projects of Leonnatus, secretly withdrew to join Perdiccas. The name of Hecataeus is not again mentioned. (Diod. 18.14; Plut. Eum. 3.)

[E.H.B]