Plutarch
46-119 A.C.E - Wrote in Greek
Eumenes
Written 75 A.C.E.
Translated by John Dryden
Eumenes
(legendary, reigned 197 B.C.E. - ca. 160 B.C.E.)
By Plutarch
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 favour 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 life-guard,
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 favour, the king had done him the honour
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 his 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 orders 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 favour. 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 behaviour 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 honour, 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. 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 letter; 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 endeavouring
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 colour 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 honours, 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 defence. 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 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
revelling 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 boding success to himself,
who was to fight for a fruitful country, and at that very time covered
with the young ears, the whole being sown 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 password 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 dishonour 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 armour 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
stript 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 valour 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 spoils 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 honours, to any one 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 honours which the kings used to confer upon their favourites. He now
had leave to bestow purple hats and cloaks, which among the Macedonians
is one of the greatest honours the king can give.
Good fortune will elevate even petty minds, and give 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 neighbouring 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 neighbouring 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 licence 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 nobody
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 behaviour.
For he had a pleasant countenance, and looked not like an old and practised
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 forefeet. 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 forefeet, 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 despatch 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 was 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
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 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 that 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 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
armour 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 in 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 despatched 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 travelled 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 immediately forced 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 at 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 greater 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 was 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 seashore, covered with a fine soft sand which
the treading of so many men and horses in the time of 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 the 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 trifling. 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 moved 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 forthwith despatch
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 despatch 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.
THE END
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