(), 1. King of Salamis in Cyprus, at the time of
Alexander's expedition into Asia. He submitted
to the conqueror in common with the other princes of Cyprus, without opposition; and in B. C. 331, after the return of Alexander from Egypt, repaired to Tyre to pay homage to that monarch, where he
distinguished himself by the magnificence which he displayed in furnishing the theatrical
exhibitions. (Plut. Alex. 29.) After the death of Alexander he took part with Ptolemy against
Antigonus, and in B. C. 315, we find him actively co-operating with
Seleucus and Menelaus, the generals of Ptolemy, in effecting the reduction of those cities of
Cyprus which had espoused the opposite cause. In return for these services he subsequently
obtained from Ptolemy the territories of Citium, Lapethus, Ceryneia, and Marion, in addition
to his own, and was entrusted with the chief command over the whole island. (Diod. 19.59, 62, 79.) We know nothing of the fortunes of Nicocreon after this: but as no mention
occurs of his name during the memorable siege of Salamis, by Demetrius (B.
C. 306), or the great sea-fight that followed it, it seems probable that he must have
died before those events. The only personal anecdote transmitted to us of Nicocreon is his
putting to death in a barbarous manner the philosopher Anaxarchus in revenge for an insult
which the latter had offered him on the occasion of his visit to Alexander. (Cic. Tusc. 2.22,
de Nat. Deor. 3.33; Plut. de Virt. p. 449; D. L. 9.59.)