Who is the traitor whom Macbeth killed in battle?

The traitor that Macbeth kills in battle is his former friend and ally, Banquo. Macbeth feels threatened by Banquo's popularity among the Scottish lords and also by the witches' prophecy that Banquo's children will succeed Macbeth on the throne. Macbeth hires two assassins to kill Banquo and his son Fleance, but Fleance managed to escape the attack after witnessing his father's demise at the hands of a ruthless Macbeth during offstage action in Act 3, Scene 3.