Eumenes

Also known as: the Cardian · Family: Pergamene · Role: king · First appears: Flamininus

Eumenes, the Cardian, entered Philip’s service, and after Philip’s death continued under Alexander as his principal secretary, enjoying the favor of an intimate. He quarreled with Hephaestion over a gift, and he and Mentor complained angrily to Alexander. Alexander made him a kind of kinsman by marriage when Eumenes married Barsine; Pharnabazus commanded two troops of foreign horse appointed to him, while Hecataeus remained an hereditary political enemy.

After Alexander’s death, Eumenes was made governor of Cappadocia, Paphlagonia, and the Pontic coast. Alcetas and Neoptolemus were required to obey him, but Neoptolemus plotted treachery; Eumenes defeated him with his horse, captured his baggage, and compelled the broken phalanx to swear service. He was ordered by Philip the king to make war on Antigonus, while Antipater was his old enemy and Craterus an old friend whom he was forced to oppose. Gorgias served as one of his captains, Menander professed concern through their old acquaintance, and Peucestes was both friendly toward him and a rival for supreme command. Olympias later invited him to protect Alexander’s infant son.

When Perdiccas was slain in Egypt, the Macedonians decreed Eumenes’ death. The Argyraspids betrayed him, seized him, and bound him for delivery to his enemies: “they all fell upon him, and seizing his sword, bound his hands behind him with his own girdle.” Antigenes and Teutamus conspired against him, while Eudamus and Phaedimus warned him only because they feared losing money lent to him. Eumenes attempted to flee but was captured and imprisoned; Onomarchus was his keeper, and Antigonus, despite their former intimacy and friendship, held him as an enemy. In comparison with Sertorius, Eumenes was described as rising from a despised secretary to command powerful, multinational armies, “and only by his actions obtained the superiority.”