A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

6. A Macedonian officer under Cassander, by whom he was secretly despatched immediately on the death of Antipater, B. C. 319, to take the command of the Macedonian garrison at Munychia. 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 Polysperchon. 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 Polysperchon. But while he thus deluded them with false hopes, instead of surrendering Munychia, he took the opportunity to surprise the Peiraeeus also, and, having occupied it with a strong garrison, declared his intention to hold both fortresses for Cassander. (Diod. 18.64; Plut. Phoc. 31, 32; Corn. Nep. Phloc. 2.) 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 Polysperchon, who arrived in Attica the following spring (a. 100.318) 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 Peiraeeus, while he himself retained the command of Munychia. He was, however, quickly despatched by Cassander with a fleet to the Hellespont, where he was joined by the naval forces of Antigonus; and though at first defeated by Cleitus, the admiral of Polysperchon, he soon after retrieved his fortune, and gained a complete victory, destroying or capturing almost the whole of the enemy's fleet. On his return to Athens he was received by Cassander with the utmost distinction, and reinstated in his former command of Munychia. But his late successes had so much elated him that he incurred the suspicion of aiming at higher objects, and intending to set up for himself. On these grounds Cassander determined to rid himself of one who was beginning to give him umbrage, and having succeeded by the basest treachery in decoding Nicanor into his power, he caused him to be put to death, after undergoing the form of a trial before the Macedonian army. (Plut. Phoc. 33; Diod. 18.65, 68, 72, 75; Polyaen. 4.6.8, 11.1.; Trog. Pomp. prol. xiv.)