EUMENES

Duris reports that Eumenes, the Cardian, was the son of a poor

wagoner in the Thracian Chersonesus, yet liberally educated, both

as a scholar and a soldier; and that while he was but young,

Philip, passing through Cardia, diverted himself with a sight of

the wrestling-matches and other exercises of the youth of that

place, among whom Eumenes performing with success, and showing

signs of intelligence and bravery, Philip was so pleased with

him, as to take him into his service. But they seem to speak

more probably, who tell us that Philip advanced Eumenes for the

friendship he bore to his father, whose guest he had sometime

been. After the death of Philip, he continued in the service of

Alexander, with the title of his principal secretary, but in as

great favor as the most intimate of his familiars, being esteemed

as wise and faithful as any person about him, so that he went

with troops under his immediate command as general in the

expedition against India, and succeeded to the post of Perdiccas,

when Perdiccas was advanced to that of Hephaestion, then newly

deceased. And therefore, after the death of Alexander, when

Neoptolemus, who had been captain of his lifeguard, said that he

had followed Alexander with shield and spear, but Eumenes only

with pen and paper, the Macedonians laughed at him, as knowing

very well that, besides other marks of favor, the king had done

him the honor to make him a kind of kinsman to himself by

marriage. For Alexander's first mistress in Asia, by whom he had

his son Hercules, was Barsine the daughter of Artabazus; and in

the distribution of the Persian ladies amongst his captains,

Alexander gave Apame, one of her sisters, to Ptolemy, and

another, also called Barsine, to Eumenes.

Notwithstanding, he frequently incurred Alexander's displeasure,

and put himself into some danger, through Hephaestion. The

quarters that had been taken up for Eumenes, Hephaestion assigned

to Euius, the flute-player. Upon which, in great anger, Eumenes

and Mentor came to Alexander, and loudly complained, saying that

the way to be regarded was to throw away their arms, and turn

flute-players or tragedians; so much so that Alexander took their

part and chid Hephaestion; but soon after changed his mind again,

and was angry with Eumenes, and accounted the freedom he had

taken to be rather an affront to the king, than a reflection upon

Hephaestion. Afterwards, when Nearchus, with a fleet, was to be

sent to the Southern Sea, Alexander borrowed money of his

friends, his own treasury being exhausted, and would have had

three hundred talents of Eumenes, but he sent a hundred only,

pretending; that it was not without great difficulty he had

raised so much from his stewards. Alexander neither complained

nor took the money, but gave private order to set Eumenes's tent

on fire, designing to take him in a manifest lie, when his money

was carried out. But before that could be done, the tent was

consumed, and Alexander repented of his orders, all his papers

being burnt; the gold and silver, however, which was melted down

in the fire, being afterwards collected, was found to be more

than one thousand talents; yet Alexander took none of it, and

only wrote to the several governors and generals to send new

copies of the papers that were burnt, and ordered them to be

delivered to Eumenes.

Another difference happened between him and Hephaestion

concerning a gift, and a great deal of ill language passed

between them, yet Eumenes still continued in favor. But

Hephaestion dying soon after, the king, in his grief, presuming

all those that differed with Hephaestion in his lifetime were now

rejoicing at his death, showed much harshness and severity in his

behavior with them, especially towards Eumenes, whom he often

upbraided with his quarrels and ill language to Hephaestion. But

he, being a wise and dexterous courtier, made advantage of what

had done him prejudice, and struck in with the king's passion for

glorifying his friend's memory, suggesting various plans to do

him honor, and contributing largely and readily towards erecting

his monument.

After Alexander's death, when the quarrel broke out between the

troops of the phalanx and the officers, his companions, Eumenes,

though in his judgment he inclined to the latter, yet in his

professions stood neuter, as if he thought it unbecoming him, who

was a stranger, to interpose in the private quarrels of the

Macedonians. And when the rest of Alexander's friends left

Babylon, he stayed behind, and did much to pacify the

foot-soldiers, and to dispose them towards an accommodation. And

when the officers had agreed among themselves, and, recovering

from the first disorder, proceeded to share out the several

commands and provinces, they made Eumenes governor of Cappadocia

and Paphlagonia, and all the coast upon the Pontic Sea as far as

Trebizond, which at that time was not subject to the Macedonians,

for Ariarathes kept it as king, but Leonnatus and Antigonus, with

a large army, were to put him in possession of it. Antigonus,

already filled with hopes of his own, and despising all men, took

no notice of Perdiccas's letters; but Leonnatus with his army

came down into Phrygia to the service of Eumenes. But being

visited by Hecataeus, the tyrant of the Cardians, and requested

rather to relieve Antipater and the Macedonians that were

besieged in Lamia, he resolved upon that expedition, inviting

Eumenes to a share in it, and endeavoring to reconcile him to

Hecataeus. For there was an hereditary feud between them,

arising out of political differences, and Eumenes had more than

once been known to denounce Hecataeus as a tyrant, and to exhort

Alexander to restore the Cardians their liberty. Therefore at

this time, also, he declined the expedition proposed, pretending

that he feared lest Antipater, who already hated him, should for

that reason and to gratify Hecataeus, kill him. Leonnatus so far

believed, as to impart to Eumenes his whole design, which, as he

had pretended and given out, was to aid Antipater, but in truth

was to seize the kingdom of Macedon; and he showed him letters

from Cleopatra, in which, it appeared, she invited him to Pella,

with promises to marry him. But Eumenes, whether fearing

Antipater, or looking upon Leonnatus as a rash, headstrong, and

unsafe man, stole away from him by night, taking with him all his

men, namely, three hundred horse, and two hundred of his own

servants armed, and all his gold, to the value of five thousand

talents of silver, and fled to Perdiccas, discovered to him

Leonnatus's design, and thus gained great interest with him, and

was made of the council. Soon after, Perdiccas, with a great

army, which he led himself, conducted Eumenes into Cappadocia,

and, having taken Ariarathes prisoner, and subdued the whole

country, declared him governor of it. He accordingly proceeded

to dispose of the chief cities among his own friends, and made

captains of garrisons, judges, receivers, and other officers, of

such as he thought fit himself, Perdiccas not at all interposing.

Eumenes, however, still continued to attend upon Perdiccas, both

out of respect to him, and a desire not to be absent from the

royal family.

But Perdiccas, believing he was able enough to attain his own

further objects without assistance, and that the country he left

behind him might stand in need of an active and faithful

governor, when he came into Cilicia, dismissed Eumenes, under

color of sending him to his command, but in truth to secure

Armenia, which was on its frontier, and was unsettled through the

practices of Neoptolemus. Him, a proud and vain man, Eumenes

exerted himself to gain by personal attentions; but to balance

the Macedonian foot, whom he found insolent and self-willed, he

contrived to raise an army of horse, excusing from tax and

contribution all those of the country that were able to serve on

horseback, and buying up a number of horses, which he distributed

among such of his own men as he most confided in, stimulating the

courage of his new soldiers by gifts and honors, and inuring

their bodies to service, by frequent marching and exercising; so

that the Macedonians were some of them astonished, others

overjoyed, to see that in so short a time he had got together a

body of no less than six thousand three hundred horsemen.

But when Craterus and Antipater, having subdued the Greeks,

advanced into Asia, with intentions to quell the power of

Perdiccas, and were reported to design an invasion of Cappadocia,

Perdiccas, resolving himself to march against Ptolemy, made

Eumenes commander-in-chief of all the forces of Armenia and

Cappadocia, and to that purpose wrote letters, requiring Alcetas

and Neoptolemus to be obedient to Eumenes, and giving full

commission to Eumenes to dispose and order all things as he

thought fit. Alcetas flatly refused to serve, because his

Macedonians, he said, were ashamed to fight against Antipater,

and loved Craterus so well, they were ready to receive him for

their commander. Neoptolemus designed treachery against Eumenes,

but was discovered; and being summoned, refused to obey, and put

himself in a posture of defense. Here Eumenes first found the

benefit of his own foresight and contrivance, for his foot being

beaten, he routed Neoptolemus with his horse, and took all his

baggage; and coming up with his whole force upon the phalanx

while broken and disordered in its flight, obliged the men to lay

down their arms, and take an oath to serve under him.

Neoptolemus, with some few stragglers whom he rallied, fled to

Craterus and Antipater. From them had come an embassy to

Eumenes, inviting him over to their side, offering to secure him

in his present government and to give him additional command,

both of men and of territory, with the advantage of gaining his

enemy Antipater to become his friend, and keeping Craterus his

friend from turning to be his enemy. To which Eumenes replied,

that he could not so suddenly be reconciled to his old enemy

Antipater, especially at a time when he saw him use his friends

like enemies, but was ready to reconcile Craterus to Perdiccas,

upon any just and equitable terms; but in case of any aggression,

he would resist the injustice to his last breath, and would

rather lose his life than betray his word.

Antipater, receiving this answer, took time to consider upon the

whole matter; when Neoptolemus arrived from his defeat, and

acquainted them with the ill success of his arms, and urged them

to give him assistance, to come, both of them, if possible, but

Craterus at any rate, for the Macedonians loved him so

excessively, that if they saw but his hat, or heard his voice,

they would all pass over in a body with their arms. And in

truth, Craterus had a mighty name among them, and the soldiers

after Alexander's death were extremely fond of him, remembering

how he had often for their sakes incurred Alexander's

displeasure, doing his best to withhold him when he began to

follow the Persian fashions, and always maintaining the customs

of his country, when, through pride and luxuriousness, they began

to be disregarded. Craterus, therefore, sent on Antipater into

Cilicia, and himself and Neoptolemus marched with a large

division of the army against Eumenes; expecting to come upon him

unawares, and to find his army disordered with reveling after the

late victory. Now that Eumenes should suspect his coming, and be

prepared to receive him, is an argument of his vigilance, but not

perhaps a proof of any extraordinary sagacity, but that he should

contrive both to conceal from his enemies the disadvantages of

his position, and from his own men whom they were to fight with,

so that he led them on against Craterus himself, without their

knowing that he commanded the enemy, this, indeed, seems to show

peculiar address and skill in the general. He gave out that

Neoptolemus and Pigres were approaching with some Cappadocian and

Paphlagonian horse. And at night, having resolved on marching,

he fell asleep, and had an extraordinary dream. For he thought

he saw two Alexanders ready to engage, each commanding his

several phalanx, the one assisted by Minerva, the other by Ceres;

and that after a hot dispute, he on whose side Minerva was, was

beaten, and Ceres, gathering ears of corn, wove them into a crown

for the victor. This vision Eumenes interpreted at once as

boasting success to himself, who was to fight for a fruitful

country, and at that very time covered with the young ears, the

whole being sowed with corn, and the fields so thick with it,

that they made a beautiful show of a long peace. And he was

further emboldened, when he understood that the enemy's pass-word

was Minerva and Alexander. Accordingly he also gave out as his,

Ceres and Alexander, and gave his men orders to make garlands for

themselves, and to dress their arms with wreaths of corn. He

found himself under many temptations to discover to his captains

and officers whom they were to engage with, and not to conceal a

secret of such moment in his own breast alone, yet he kept to his

first resolutions, and ventured to run the hazard of his own

judgment.

When he came to give battle, he would not trust any Macedonian to

engage Craterus, but appointed two troops of foreign horse,

commanded by Pharnabazus, son to Artabazus, and Phoenix of

Tenedos, with order to charge as soon as ever they saw the enemy,

without giving them leisure to speak or retire, or receiving any

herald or trumpet from them. For he was exceedingly afraid about

his Macedonians, lest, if they found out Craterus to be there,

they should go over to his side. He himself, with three hundred

of his best horse, led the right wing against Neoptolemus. When

having passed a little hill they came in view, and were seen

advancing with more than ordinary briskness, Craterus was amazed,

and bitterly reproached Neoptolemus for deceiving him with hopes

of the Macedonians' revolt, but he encouraged his men to do

bravely, and forthwith charged. The first engagement was very

fierce, and the spears being soon broken to pieces, they came to

close fighting with their swords; and here Craterus did by no

means dishonor Alexander, but slew many of his enemies, and

repulsed many assaults, but at last received a wound in his side

from a Thracian, and fell off his horse. Being down, many not

knowing him went past him, but Gorgias, one of Eumenes's

captains, knew him, and alighting from his horse, kept guard over

him, as he lay badly wounded and slowly dying. In the meantime

Neoptolemus and Eumenes were engaged; who, being inveterate and

mortal enemies, sought for one another, but missed for the two

first courses, but in the third discovering one another, they

drew their swords, and with loud shouts immediately charged. And

their horses striking against one another like two galleys, they

quitted their reins, and taking mutual hold pulled at one

another's helmets, and at the armor from their shoulders. While

they were thus struggling, their horses went from under them, and

they fell together to the ground, there again still keeping their

hold and wrestling. Neoptolemus was getting up first, but

Eumenes wounded him in the ham, and got upon his feet before him.

Neoptolemus supporting himself upon one knee, the other leg being

disabled, and himself undermost, fought courageously, though his

blows were not mortal, but receiving a stroke in the neck he fell

and ceased to resist. Eumenes, transported with passion and his

inveterate hatred to him, fell to reviling and stripping him, and

perceived not that his sword was still in his hand. And with

this he wounded Eumenes under the bottom of his corslet in the

groin, but in truth more frightened than hurt him; his blow being

faint for want of strength. Having stripped the dead body, ill as

he was with the wounds he had received in his legs and arms, he

took horse again, and hurried towards the left wing of his army,

which he supposed to be still engaged. Hearing of the death of

Craterus, he rode up to him, and finding there was yet some life

in him, alighted from his horse and wept, and laying his right

hand upon him, inveighed bitterly against Neoptolemus, and

lamented both Craterus's misfortune and his own hard fate, that

he should be necessitated to engage against an old friend and

acquaintance, and either do or suffer so much mischief.

This victory Eumenes obtained about ten days after the former,

and got great reputation alike for his conduct and his valor in

achieving it. But on the other hand, it created him great envy

both among his own troops, and his enemies, that he, a stranger

and a foreigner, should employ the forces and arms of Macedon, to

cut off the bravest and most approved man among them. Had the

news of this defeat come timely enough to Perdiccas, he had

doubtless been the greatest of all the Macedonians; but now, he

being slain in a mutiny in Egypt, two days before the news

arrived, the Macedonians in a rage decreed Eumenes's death,

giving joint commission to Antigonus and Antipater to prosecute

the war against him. Passing by Mount Ida, where there was a

royal establishment of horses, Eumenes took as many as he had

occasion for, and sent an account of his doing so to the

overseers, at which Antipater is said to have laughed, calling it

truly laudable in Eumenes thus to hold himself prepared for

giving in to them (or would it be taking from them?) strict

account of all matters of administration. Eumenes had designed

to engage in the plains of Lydia, near Sardis, both because his

chief strength lay in horse, and to let Cleopatra see how

powerful he was. But at her particular request, for she was

afraid to give any umbrage to Antipater, he marched into the

upper Phrygia, and wintered in Celaenae; when Alcetas, Polemon,

and Docimus disputing with him who should command in chief, "You

know," said he, "the old saying, That destruction regards no

punctilios." Having promised his soldiers pay within three days,

he sold them all the farms and castles in the country, together

with the men and beasts with which they were filled; every

captain or officer that bought, received from Eumenes the use of

his engines to storm the place, and divided the spoil among his

company, proportionably to every man's arrears. By this Eumenes

came again to be popular, so that when letters were found thrown

about the camp by the enemy, promising one hundred talents,

besides great honors, to anyone that should kill Eumenes, the

Macedonians were extremely offended, and made an order that from

that time forward one thousand of their best men should

continually guard his person, and keep strict watch about him by

night in their several turns. This order was cheerfully obeyed,

and they gladly received of Eumenes the same honors which the

kings used to confer upon their favorites. He now had leave to

bestow purple hats and cloaks, which among the Macedonians is one

of the greatest honors the king can give.

Good fortune will elevate even petty minds, and gives them the

appearance of a certain greatness and stateliness, as from their

high place they look down upon the world; but the truly noble and

resolved spirit raises itself, and becomes more conspicuous in

times of disaster and ill fortune, as was now the case with

Eumenes. For having by the treason of one of his own men lost

the field to Antigonus at Orcynii, in Cappadocia, in his flight

he gave the traitor no opportunity to escape to the enemy, but

immediately seized and hanged him. Then in his flight, taking a

contrary course to his pursuers, he stole by them unawares,

returned to the place where the battle had been fought, and

encamped. There he gathered up the dead bodies, and burnt them

with the doors and windows of the neighboring villages, and raised

heaps of earth upon their graves; insomuch that Antigonus, who

came thither soon after, expressed his astonishment at his

courage and firm resolution. Falling afterwards upon the

baggage of Antigonus, he might easily have taken many captives,

both bond and freemen, and much wealth collected from the spoils

of so many wars; but he feared lest his men, overladen with so

much booty, might become unfit for rapid retreat, and too fond of

their ease to sustain the continual marches and endure the long

waiting on which he depended for success, expecting to tire

Antigonus into some other course. But then considering it would

be extremely difficult to restrain the Macedonians from plunder,

when it seemed to offer itself, he gave them order to refresh

themselves, and bait their horses, and then attack the enemy. In

the meantime he sent privately to Menander, who had care of all

this baggage, professing a concern for him upon the score of old

friendship and acquaintance; and therefore advising him to quit

the plain and secure himself upon the sides of the neighboring

hills, where the horse might not be able to hem him in. When

Menander, sensible of his danger, had speedily packed up his

goods and decamped, Eumenes openly sent his scouts to discover

the enemy's posture, and commanded his men to arm, and bridle

their horses, as designing immediately to give battle; but the

scouts returning with news that Menander had secured so difficult

a post it was impossible to take him, Eumenes, pretending to be

grieved with the disappointment, drew off his men another way.

It is said that when Menander reported this afterwards to

Antigonus, and the Macedonians commended Eumenes, imputing it to

his singular good-nature, that having it in his power to make

slaves of their children, and outrage their wives, he forbore and

spared them all, Antigonus replied, "Alas, good friends, he had

no regard to us, but to himself, being loath to wear so many

shackles when he designed to fly."

From this time Eumenes, daily flying and wandering about,

persuaded many of his men to disband, whether out of kindness to

them, or unwillingness to lead about such a body of men as were

too few to engage, and too many to fly undiscovered. Taking

refuge at Nora, a place on the confines of Lycaonia and

Cappadocia, with five hundred horse, and two hundred heavy-armed

foot, he again dismissed as many of his friends as desired it,

through fear of the probable hardships to be encountered there,

and embracing them with all demonstrations of kindness, gave them

license to depart. Antigonus, when he came before this fort,

desired to have an interview with Eumenes before the siege; but

he returned answer, that Antigonus had many friends who might

command in his room; but they whom Eumenes defended, had no body

to substitute if he should miscarry; therefore, if Antigonus

thought it worth while to treat with him, he should first send

him hostages. And when Antigonus required that Eumenes should

first address himself to him as his superior, he replied, "While

I am able to wield a sword, I shall think no man greater than

myself." At last, when according to Eumenes's demand, Antigonus

sent his own nephew Ptolemy to the fort, Eumenes went out to him,

and they mutually embraced with great tenderness and friendship,

as having formerly been very intimate. After long conversation,

Eumenes making no mention of his own pardon and security, but

requiring that he should be confirmed in his several governments,

and restitution be made him of the rewards of his service, all

that were present were astonished at his courage and gallantry.

And many of the Macedonians flocked to see what sort of person

Eumenes was, for since the death of Craterus, no man had been so

much talked of in the army. But Antigonus, being afraid lest he

might suffer some violence, first commanded the soldiers to keep

off, calling out and throwing stones at those who pressed

forwards. At last, taking Eumenes in his arms, and keeping off

the crowd with his guards, not without great difficulty, he

returned him safe into the fort.

Then Antigonus, having built a wall round Nora, left a force

sufficient to carry on the siege, and drew off the rest of his

army; and Eumenes was beleaguered and kept garrison, having

plenty of corn and water and salt but no other thing, either for

food, or delicacy; yet with such as he had, he kept a cheerful

table for his friends, inviting them severally in their turns,

and seasoning his entertainment with a gentle and affable

behavior. For he had a pleasant countenance, and looked not like

an old and practiced soldier, but was smooth and florid, and his

shape as delicate as if his limbs had been carved by art in the

most accurate proportions. He was not a great orator, but

winning and persuasive, as may be seen in his letters. The

greatest distress of the besieged was the narrowness of the place

they were in, their quarters being very confined, and the whole

place but two furlongs in compass; so that both they and their

horses fed without exercise. Accordingly, not only to prevent

the listlessness of such inactive living, but to have them in

condition to fly if occasion required, he assigned a room one and

twenty feet long, the largest in all the fort, for the men to

walk in, directing them to begin their walk gently, and so

gradually mend their pace. And for the horses, he tied them to

the roof with great halters, fastening which about their necks,

with a pulley he gently raised them, till standing upon the

ground with their hinder feet, they just touched it with the very

ends of their fore feet. In this posture the grooms plied them

with whips and shouts, provoking them to curvet and kick out with

their hind legs, struggling and stamping at the same time to find

support for their fore feet, and thus their whole body was

exercised, till they were all in a foam and sweat; excellent

exercise, whether for strength or speed; and then he gave them

their corn already coarsely ground, that they might sooner

dispatch, and better digest it.

The siege continuing long, Antigonus received advice that

Antipater was dead in Macedon, and that affairs were embroiled by

the differences of Cassander and Polysperchon, upon which he

conceived no mean hopes, purposing to make himself master of all,

and, in order to his design, thought to bring over Eumenes, that

he might have his advice and assistance. He, therefore, sent

Hieronymus to treat with him, proposing a certain oath, which

Eumenes first corrected, and then referred himself to the

Macedonians themselves that besieged him, to be judged by them,

which of the two forms were the most equitable. Antigonus in the

beginning of his had slightly mentioned the kings as by way of

ceremony, while all the sequel referred to himself alone; but

Eumenes changed the form of it to Olympias and the kings, and

proceeded to swear not to be true to Antigonus only, but to them,

and to have the same friends and enemies, not with Antigonus, but

with Olympias and the kings. This form the Macedonians thinking

the more reasonable, swore Eumenes according to it, and raised

the siege, sending also to Antigonus, that he should swear in the

same form to Eumenes. Meantime, all the hostages of the

Cappadocians whom Eumenes had in Nora he returned, obtaining from

their friends war horses, beasts of carriage, and tents in

exchange. And collecting again all the soldiers who had

dispersed at the time of his flight, and were now wandering about

the country, he got together a body of near a thousand horse, and

with them fled from Antigonus, whom he justly feared. For he had

sent orders not only to have him blocked up and besieged again,

but had given a very sharp answer to the Macedonians, for

admitting Eumenes's amendment of the oath.

While Eumenes was flying, he received letters from those in

Macedonia, who were jealous of Antigonus's greatness, from

Olympias, inviting him thither, to take the charge and protection

of Alexander's infant son, whose person was in danger, and other

letters from Polysperchon, and Philip the king, requiring him to

make war upon Antigonus, as general of the forces in Cappadocia,

and empowering him out of the treasure at Quinda to take five

hundred talents, compensation for his own losses, and to levy as

much as he thought necessary to carry on the war. They wrote also

to the same effect to Antigenes and Teutamus, the chief officers

of the Argyraspids; who, on receiving these letters, treated

Eumenes with a show of respect and kindness; but it was apparent

enough they were full of envy and emulation, disdaining to give

place to him. Their envy Eumenes moderated, by refusing to

accept the money, as if he had not needed it; and their ambition

and emulation, who were neither able to govern, nor willing to

obey, he conquered by help of superstition. For he told them

that Alexander had appeared to him in a dream, and showed him a

regal pavilion richly furnished, with a throne in it; and told

him if they would sit in council there, he himself would be

present and prosper all the consultations and actions upon

which they should enter in his name. Antigenes and Teutamus were

easily prevailed upon to believe this, being as little willing to

come and consult Eumenes, as he himself was to be seen waiting at

other men's doors. Accordingly, they erected a tent royal, and a

throne, called Alexander's, and there they met to consult upon

all affairs of moment.

Afterwards they advanced into the interior of Asia, and in their

march met with Peucestes, who was friendly to them, and with the

other satraps, who joined forces with them, and greatly

encouraged the Macedonians with the number and appearance of

their men. But they themselves, having since Alexander's decease

become imperious and ungoverned in their tempers, and luxurious

in their daily habits, imagining themselves great princes, and

pampered in their conceit by the flattery of the barbarians, when

all these conflicting pretensions now came together, were soon

found to be exacting and quarrelsome one with another, while all

alike unmeasurably flattered the Macedonians, giving them money

for revels and sacrifices, till in a short time they brought the

camp to be a dissolute place of entertainment, and the army a

mere multitude of voters, canvassed as in a democracy for the

election of this or that commander. Eumenes, perceiving they

despised one another, and all of them feared him, and sought an

opportunity to kill him, pretended to be in want of money, and

borrowed many talents, of those especially who most hated him, to

make them at once confide in him, and forbear all violence to him

for fear of losing their own money. Thus his enemies' estates

were the guard of his person, and by receiving money he purchased

safety, for which it is more common to give it.

The Macedonians, also, while there was no show of danger, allowed

themselves to be corrupted, and made all their court to those who

gave them presents, who had their body-guards, and affected to

appear as generals-in-chief. But when Antigonus came upon them

with a great army, and their affairs themselves seemed to call

out for a true general, then not only the common soldiers cast

their eyes upon Eumenes, but these men, who had appeared so great

in a peaceful time of ease, submitted all of them to him, and

quietly posted themselves severally as he appointed them. And

when Antigonus attempted to pass the river Pasitigris, all the

rest that were appointed to guard the passes were not so much as

aware of his march; only Eumenes met and encountered him, slew

many of his men, and filled the river with the dead, and took

four thousand prisoners. But it was most particularly when

Eumenes was sick, that the Macedonians let it be seen how in

their judgment, while others could feast them handsomely and make

entertainments, he alone knew how to fight and lead an army. For

Peucestes, having made a splendid entertainment in Persia, and

given each of the soldiers a sheep to sacrifice with, made

himself sure of being commander-in-chief. Some few days after,

the army was to march, and Eumenes, having been dangerously ill,

was carried in a litter apart from the body of the army, that any

rest he got might not be disturbed. But when they were a little

advanced, unexpectedly they had a view of the enemy, who had

passed the hills that lay between them, and was marching down

into the plain. At the sight of the golden armor glittering in

the sun as they marched down in their order, the elephants with

their castles on their backs, and the men in their purple, as

their manner was when they were going to give battle, the front

stopped their march, and called out for Eumenes, for they would

not advance a step but under his conduct; and fixing their arms

in the ground, gave the word among themselves to stand, requiring

their officers also not to stir or engage or hazard themselves

without Eumenes. News of this being brought to Eumenes, he

hastened those that carried his litter, and drawing back the

curtains on both sides, joyfully put forth his right hand. As

soon as the soldiers saw him, they saluted him in their

Macedonian dialect, and took up their shields, and striking them

with their pikes, gave a great shout; inviting the enemy to come

on, for now they had a leader.

Antigonus understanding by some prisoners he had taken that

Eumenes was out of health, to that degree that he was carried in

a litter, presumed it would be no hard matter to crush the rest

of them, since he was ill. He therefore made the greater haste

to come up with them and engage. But being come so near as to

discover how the enemy was drawn up and appointed, he was

astonished, and paused for some time; at last he saw the litter

carrying from one wing of the army to the other, and, as his

manner was, laughing aloud, he said to his friends, "That litter

there, it seems, is the thing that offers us battle;" and

immediately wheeled about, retired with all his army, and pitched

his camp. The men on the other side, finding a little respite,

returned to their former habits, and allowing themselves to be

flattered, and making the most of the indulgence of their

generals, took up for their winter quarters near the whole

country of the Gabeni, so that the front was quartered nearly a

thousand furlongs from the rear; which Antigonus understanding,

marched suddenly towards them, taking the most difficult road

through a country that wanted water; but the way was short though

uneven; hoping, if he should surprise them thus scattered in

their winter quarters, the soldiers would not easily be able to

come up time enough, and join with their officers. But having to

pass through a country uninhabited, where he met with violent

winds and severe frosts, he was much checked in his march, and

his men suffered exceedingly. The only possible relief was

making numerous fires, by which his enemies got notice of his

coming. For the barbarians who dwelt on the mountains

overlooking the desert, amazed at the multitude of fires they

saw, sent messengers upon dromedaries to acquaint Peucestes. He

being astonished and almost out of his senses with the news, and

finding the rest in no less disorder, resolved to fly, and

collect what men he could by the way. But Eumenes relieved him

from his fear and trouble, undertaking so to stop the enemy's

advance, that he should arrive three days later than he was

expected. Having persuaded them, he immediately dispatched

expresses to all the officers to draw the men out of their winter

quarters, and muster them with all speed. He himself with some

of the chief officers rode out, and chose an elevated tract

within view, at a distance, of such as traveled the desert; this

he occupied and quartered out, and commanded many fires to be

made in it, as the custom is in a camp. This done, and the enemies

seeing the fire upon the mountains, Antigonus was filled with

vexation and despondency, supposing that his enemies had been

long since advertised of his march, and were prepared to receive

him. Therefore, lest his army, now tired and wearied out with

their march, should be forced immediately to encounter with fresh

men, who had wintered well, and were ready for him, quitting the

near way, he marched slowly through the towns and villages to

refresh his men. But meeting with no such skirmishes as are

usual when two armies lie near one another, and being assured by

the people of the country that no army had been seen, but only

continual fires in that place, he concluded he had been outwitted

by a stratagem of Eumenes, and much troubled, advanced to give

open battle.

By this time, the greatest part of the forces were come together

to Eumenes, and admiring his sagacity, declared him alone

commander-in-chief of the whole army; upon which Antigenes and

Teutamus, the commanders of the Argyraspids, being very much

offended, and envying Eumenes, formed a conspiracy against him;

and assembling the greater part of the satraps and officers,

consulted when and how to cut him off. When they had unanimously

agreed, first to use his service in the next battle, and then to

take an occasion to destroy him, Eudamus, the master of the

elephants, and Phaedimus, gave Eumenes private advice of this

design, not out of kindness or good-will to him, but lest they

should lose the money they had lent him. Eumenes, having

commended them, retired to his tent, and telling his friends he

lived among a herd of wild beasts, made his will, and tore up all

his letters, lest his correspondents after his death should be

questioned or punished on account of anything in his secret

papers. Having thus disposed of his affairs, he thought of

letting the enemy win the field, or of flying through Media and

Armenia and seizing Cappadocia, but came to no resolution while

his friends stayed with him. After turning to many expedients in

his mind, which his changeable fortune had made versatile, he at

last put his men in array, and encouraged the Greeks and

barbarians; as for the phalanx and the Argyraspids, they

encouraged him, and bade him be of good heart; for the enemy

would never be able to stand them. For indeed they were the

oldest of Philip's and Alexander's soldiers, tried men, that had

long made war their exercise, that had never been beaten or

foiled; most of them seventy, none less than sixty years old.

And so when they charged Antigonus's men, they cried out, "You

fight against your fathers, you rascals," and furiously falling

on, routed the whole phalanx at once, nobody being able to stand

them, and the greatest part dying by their hands. So that

Antigonus's foot were routed, but his horse got the better, and

he became master of the baggage, through the cowardice of

Peucestes, who behaved himself negligently and basely; while

Antigonus used his judgment calmly in the danger, being aided

moreover by the ground. For the place where they fought was a

large plain, neither deep, nor hard under foot, but, like the

sea-shore, covered with a fine soft sand, which the treading of

so many men and horses, in the time of the battle, reduced to a

small white dust, that like a cloud of lime darkened the air, so

that one could not see clearly at any distance, and so made it

easy for Antigonus to take the baggage unperceived.

After the battle, Teutamus sent a message to Antigonus to demand

the baggage. He made answer, he would not only restore it to the

Argyraspids, but serve them further in other things if they would

but deliver up Eumenes. Upon which the Argyraspids took a

villainous resolution to deliver him up alive into the hands of

his enemies. So they came to wait upon him, being unsuspected by

him, but watching their opportunity, some lamenting the loss of

the baggage, some encouraging him as if he had been victor, some

accusing the other commanders, till at last they all fell upon

him, and seizing his sword, bound his hands behind him with his

own girdle. When Antigonus had sent Nicanor to receive him, he

begged he might be led through the body of the Macedonians, and

have liberty to speak to them, neither to request, nor deprecate

anything, but only to advise them what would be for their

interest. A silence being made, as he stood upon a rising

ground, he stretched out his hands bound, and said, "What trophy,

O ye basest of all the Macedonians, could Antigonus have wished

for so great as you yourselves have erected for him, in

delivering up your general captive into his hands? You are not

ashamed, when you are conquerors, to own yourselves conquered,

for the sake only of your baggage, as if it were wealth, not

arms, wherein victory consisted; nay, you deliver up your general

to redeem your stuff. As for me, I am unvanquished, though a

captive, conqueror of my enemies, and betrayed by my fellow

soldiers. For you, I adjure you by Jupiter, the protector of

arms, and by all the gods that are the avengers of perjury, to

kill me here with your own hands; for it is all one; and if I am

murdered yonder, it will be esteemed your act, nor will Antigonus

complain, for he desires not Eumenes alive, but dead. Or if you

withhold your own hands, release but one of mine, it shall

suffice to do the work; and if you dare not trust me with a sword

throw me bound as I am under the feet of the wild beasts. This

if you do I shall freely acquit you from the guilt of my death,

as the most just and kind of men to their general."

While Eumenes was thus speaking, the rest of the soldiers wept

for grief, but the Argyraspids shouted out to lead him on, and

give no attention to his trilling. For it was no such great

matter if this Chersonesian pest should meet his death, who in

thousands of battles had annoyed and wasted the Macedonians; it

would be a much more grievous thing for the choicest of Philip's

and Alexander's soldiers to be defrauded of the fruits of so long

service, and in their old age to come to beg their bread, and to

leave their wives three nights in the power of their enemies. So

they hurried him on with violence. But Antigonus, fearing the

multitude, for nobody was left in the camp, sent ten of his

strongest elephants with divers of his Mede and Parthian lances

to keep off the press. Then he could not endure to have Eumenes

brought into his presence, by reason of their former intimacy and

friendship; but when they that had taken him inquired how he

would have him kept, "As I would," said he, "an elephant, or a

lion." A little after, being loved with compassion, he

commanded the heaviest of his irons to be knocked off, one of his

servants to be admitted to anoint him, and that any of his

friends that were willing should have liberty to visit him, and

bring him what he wanted. Long time he deliberated what to do

with him, sometimes inclining to the advice and promises of

Nearchus of Crete, and Demetrius his son, who were very earnest

to preserve Eumenes, whilst all the rest were unanimously instant

and importunate to have him taken off. It is related that

Eumenes inquired of Onomarchus, his keeper, why Antigonus, now he

had his enemy in his hands, would not either forthwith dispatch

or generously release him? And that Onomarchus contumeliously

answered him, that the field had been a more proper place than

this to show his contempt of death. To whom Eumenes replied,

"And by heavens, I showed it there; ask the men else that engaged

me, but I could never meet a man that was my superior."

"Therefore," rejoined Onomarchus, "now you have found such a man,

why don't you submit quietly to his pleasure?"

When Antigonus resolved to kill Eumenes, he commanded to keep his

food from him, and so with two or three days' fasting he began to

draw near his end; but the camp being on a sudden to remove, an

executioner was sent to dispatch him. Antigonus granted his body

to his friends, permitted them to burn it, and having gathered

his ashes into a silver urn, to send them to his wife and

children.

Eumenes was thus taken off; and Divine Providence assigned to no

other man the chastisement of the commanders and soldiers that

had betrayed him; but Antigonus himself, abominating the

Argyraspids as wicked and inhuman villains, delivered them up to

Sibyrtius, the governor of Arachosia, commanding him by all ways

and means to destroy and exterminate them, so that not a man of

them might ever come to Macedon, or so much as within sight of

the Greek sea.