Other Definitions
eumenes (dict)
|
EumenesEumenes of Cardia (c. 362 BC - 316 BC), was a Greek general and scholar. He participated in wars of the diadochi as suporter of Macedonian Argead royal house. He was a native of Cardia in the Thracian Chersonesus. At a very early age he was employed as private secretary by Philip II of Macedon, and on the death of Philip II, by Alexander the Great, whom he accompanied into Asia. After Alexander's death (323 BC), Eumenes ended up in command of a large body of Macedonian and other Greek soldiers fighting in support of Alexander's son, Alexander IV of Macedon. In the division of the empire on Alexanders death, Cappadocia and Paphlagonia were assigned to Eumenes; but as they were not yet subdued, Leonnatus and Antigonus were charged by Perdiccas to put him in possession. Antigonus, however, disregarded the order, and Leonnatus in vain attempted to induce Eumenes to accompany him to Europe and share in his far-reaching designs. Eumenes joined Perdiccas, who installed him in Cappadocia. When Craterus and Antipater, having reduced Greece in Lamian War, determined to pass into Asia and overthrow the power of Perdiccas, their first blow was aimed at Cappadocia. Craterus and Neoptolemus, satrap of Armenia, were completely defeated by Eumenes in battle somewhere near the Hellespont, in 321 BC. Neoptolemus was killed, and Craterus died of his wounds. After the murder of Perdiccas in Egypt by his own soldiers (320 BC), the Macedonian generals condemned Eumenes to death, and charged Antipater and Antigonus with the execution of their order. Eumenes, being defeated through the treachery of one of his officers, fled to Nora, a strong fortress on the cofifines of Cappadocia and Lycaonia, where he defended himself for more than a year. The death of Antipater (319 BC) produced complications. He left the regency to his friend Polyperchon over the head of his son Cassander, who entered into an alliance with Antigonus and Ptolemy against Polyperchon, supported by Eumenes. Eumenes, who having escaped from Nora, was threatening Syria and Phoenicia. In 318 BC Antigonus marched against him, and Eumenes withdrew east to join the satraps of the provinces beyond the Tigris River. After two indecisive battles at Paraitacene (317 BC) and Gabiene (316 BC), Eumenes was betrayed by his owh soldiers to Antigonus and put to death. He was an able soldier, who did his utmost to maintain the unity of Alexanders empire in Asia; but his efforts were frustrated by the generals and satraps, who hated and despised the secretary and foreigner. According to Plutarch and Diodorus, Eumenes won a battle but lost control over his army's baggage camp. This baggage was all the loot which the Macedonian veterans (called The Silver Shields (Greek: Argyraspids)) had accumulated over 30 years of successful warfare. It was not only gold and gems but their women and children. Antigonus sent a message to the Silver Shields saying he would give back all their baggage if they gave him Eumenes. The Silver Shields handed over Eumenes. Antigonus, after some consideration, had his enemy executed. The Macedonians in his army were openly skeptical of Eumenes but his skills as a general were undeniable. However, he never commanded their full allegiance and died as a result. He was an able soldier, who did his utmost to maintain the unity of Alexanders empire in Asia; but his efforts were frustrated by the generals and satraps, who hated and despised the secretary and foreigner. Eumenes is a tragic figure, a man who seemingly tried to do the right thing but was overcome by a more ruthless enemy and the treachery of his own soldiers. External links
|
 |