An agent of Alexander the Great stabs the general Parmenion to death as he reads a letter. Parmenion believed the letter was from his son, the traitor Philotas, but, in fact, Alexander had forged the letter to test his general's loyalty. Alexander had suspected the general's willingness to betray his cause, and Parmenion's pleased reaction to the letter, which suggested that Alexander should desist from future conquests, confirmed his doubts.