Cynane (in
Greek Kυνανη or
Kυνα,
Kynane; killed
323 BC) was half-sister to
Alexander the Great, and daughter of
Philip II by
Audata, an
Illyrian princess.
Audata trained her daughter in riding, hunting, and fighting in the Illyrian tradition. Her father gave her in marriage to her cousin
Amyntas, by whose death she was left a widow in
336 BC. In the following year Alexander promised her hand, as a reward for his services, to
Langarus, king of the
Agrianians, but the intended bridegroom became ill and died.
Cynane continued unmarried, and employed herself in the education of her daughter, Adea or
Eurydice, whom she is said to have trained, after the manner of her own education, in martial exercises. When her half brother
Philip Arrhidaeus was chosen king in
323 BC, Cynane determined to marry Eurydice to him, and crossed over to
Asia accordingly.
Her influence was probably great, and her project alarmed
Perdiccas and
Antipater, the former of whom sent his brother
Alcetas to meet her on her way and put her to death. Alcetas did so in defiance of the feelings of his troops, and Cynane met her doom with an undaunted spirit. Eurydice's wedding took place, but both daughter and son-in-law were eventually killed by
Olympias. In
317 BC, Cassander, after defeating
Olympias, buried Cynane with Eurydice and Arrhidaeus at
Aegae, the royal burying-place.
Polyaenus writes, "Cynane, the daughter of Philip was famous for her military knowledge: she conducted armies, and in the field charged at the head of them. In an engagement with the Illyrians, she with her own hand slew Caeria their queen; and with great slaughter defeated the Illyrian army."
http://www.websfor.org/alexander/polyaenus/polyaenus5.asp 
