Chapter 1
In Bactra, Craterus wasn't very happy to be ordered to transfer the overall command to Hephaistion. And Hephaistion understood that. Although personally he admired Craterus for his bravery and ability in commanding the phalanxes, Hephaisiton was never so close to Craterus, or any of his Maize classmates. Craterus was born to a not so high status noble family and he didn't get the privilege to go to school together with Alexander, although Craterus wasn't so much older than some of Alexander's Maize friends such as Perdiccas. In fact Craterus was only 6 years older than Alexander, much younger than Ptolemy. Craterus joined Philip's infantry early on when he was very young and moved up from a low rank officer all the way to a battalion commander under Philip by his courageous fighting and commanding abilities.
Although Alexander wasn't close to Craterus as his closeness to his friends, Alexander appreciated Craterus' loyalty and commanding ability and relied on Craterus to fulfill the role as the overall commander of the heavy infantry after Parmenion's death. Although the importance of heavy infantry was much reduced in the Bactria/Sogdiana campaign, Hephaistion was sure Craterus will be much needed when they move to India. If they had to conquer India, Alexander will need Craterus to command heavy infantry on the left wing to hold the ground like a nail, just as Parmenion did in the three major battles against Persians, while Alexander himself lead the cavalry and harpists on the right wing as hammer to breach the enemy.
Hephaisiton did not ever feel jealous about the trust that Alexander had in Craterus, it was actually the other way around. Being a true cavalry commander, Alexander relied on companion cavalry – the elite of the Alexander's army – much more than his father Philip, and that caused resentment among his infantry commanders toward cavalry commanders, especially Craterus' resentment toward Hephaisition. For Craterus wished to get the commanding position of companion cavalry after Philotas death, since he believed that he himself was the most experienced commander after Parmenion and Philotas. However, Alexander didn't give the post to him, but promoted Cleitus and Hephaisiton. Craterus could not resent Cleitus, because Cleitus was much more experienced than him in cavalry commanding and Cleitus reached generalship much earlier than Craterus did. But Craterus was much disappointed that Hephaistion got the co-commandership.
Now with the letter Coenus brought, Craterus was very disappointed that Alexander sent Hephaistion to be in overall command of Bactria. H already felt bad about Spitemenes' attack and loss of soldiers and livestock. Although Alexander did not blame him for what happed, he was shamed that because of his careless, Alexander now had to change the plan for winter and he had to give up the overall commanding post. He was frustrated and he decided that once Hephaistion arrived he would hand over the power and excused himself to some new Alexandrias. At lease he and his men could be useful in building some new towns named after his beloved King.