A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

(Πάνταυχος).

1. A Macedonian of Alorus, son of Nicolaus, an officer in the service of Alexander, was one of those appointed to the command of a trireme on the descent of the Indus, B. C. 327. (Arrian Ind. 18.) Though this is the only occasion during the wars of that monarch on which his name is mentioned, yet we are told that he had earned a great reputation both for ability as a commander and for his personal strength and prowess. These qualities obtained for him a high place among the generals of Demetrius Poliorcetes, who in B. C. 289 left him with a large force to hold possession of Aetolia against Pyrrhus. On the approach of that monarch, Pantauchus hastened to meet him, and give him battle, when a single combat ensued between the young king and the veteran officer, in which the former was victorious. Pantauchus was carried off the field severely wounded, and his army was totally routed. Whether or not he died of his wounds we know not, but his name is not again mentioned. (Plut. Pyrrh. 7, Demetr. 41.)