one of the most brilliant generals of the Macedonian king Alexander the Great (ruled 336–323). Accompanying Alexander on his expedition of conquest in Asia, he played a key role in the defeat of the Indian prince Porus at the Battle of the Hydaspes (326). During the opening phase of the struggle for the succession to Alexander's empire, Craterus was killed while fighting the forces of Alexander's former secretary, Eumenes of Cardia.