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[[Image:EasternSatrapsAfterAlexander.jpg|thumb|250px|Eudamus ruled, first with [[Taxiles]], the northern dominions of the Indus, down to the junction of the [[Indus]] and the [[Acesines]].]]
[[Image:EasternSatrapsAfterAlexander.jpg|thumb|250px|Eudemus ruled, first with [[Taxiles]], the northern dominions of the Indus, down to the junction of the [[Indus]] and the [[Chenab River|Acesines]].]]
'''Eudemus''' (in [[Greek language|Greek]] '''Eύδημoς'''; died 316 BC) was one of [[Alexander the Great]]'s generals, who was appointed by him to the command of the troops left in [[History of India|India]], after the murder of the Alexander-appointed [[satrap]] [[Philip (son of Machatas)]] by his own mercenary troops in 326 BCE:<ref>[[Arrian]], ''[[Anabasis Alexandri]]'', [http://websfor.org/alexander/arrian/book6b.asp vi. 22]</ref>
'''Eudemus''' ({{langx|grc|Εὔδημος}}; died 316 BC) was one of [[Alexander the Great]]'s generals. In 326 BC, he was appointed by Alexander as one of the commanders of the troops in India along with [[Peithon (son of Agenor)|Peithon]], [[Porus the Elder|Porus]] and [[Taxiles]]. After Alexander's death, Eudemus assassinated Porus and effectively controlled Alexander's northern Indian territories until he became involved in the [[Wars of the Diadochi]] during which he was captured and killed by [[Antigonus I Monophthalmus|Antigonus]].


== Biography ==
:"Alexander dispatched letters to India to Eudamus and [[Taxilas]] telling them to take charge of the district formerly under Philip, until he himself sent a satrap to govern it." (Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander, VI.27.2)
In 326 BC, Eudemus was appointed by Alexander the Great to the command of the troops left in [[History of India|India]], after the murder of the Alexander-appointed [[satrap]] [[Philip (son of Machatas)]] by his own mercenary troops in 326 BC. Alexander dispatched letters to India to Eudemus and also to [[Taxilas]] telling them to take charge of the district formerly under Philip, until Alexander could send a satrap to govern the district.<ref>[[Arrian]], ''[[Anabasis Alexandri]]'', [http://websfor.org/alexander/arrian/book6b.asp vi. 27.2]</ref>


After Alexander's death (323 BC) he made himself master of the territories of the Indian king [[King Porus|Porus]], and treacherously put that monarch to death. He by this means became very powerful, and in 317 BC brought to the support of [[Eumenes]] in the war against [[Antigonus I Monophthalmus|Antigonus]] a force of 3500 men and 125 elephants.<ref>[[Diodorus Siculus]], ''Bibliotheca'', xix. 14</ref>:
According to [[Diodorus Siculus]] after Alexander's unexpected death in 323 BC, Eudemus assassinated the Indian king [[Porus the Elder|Porus]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Williams|first=Henry Smith|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kLNVDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT285|title=The Historians' History of the World Vol.2 (of 25) (Illustrations): Israel, India, Persia, Phoenicia, Minor Nations of Western Asia|publisher=THE TROW PRESS|language=en}}</ref> As a result, Eudemus became very powerful and in 317 BC, he was able to support [[Eumenes|Eumenes of Cardia]] in his war against [[Antigonus I Monophthalmus|Antigonus]] by providing a force of 500 cavalry, 300 infantry, and 120 war elephants.<ref>[[Diodorus Siculus]], ''Bibliotheca'', xix. 14</ref>
:"From India came Eudamus, with 500 horsemen, 300 footmen, and 120 elephants. These beasts he had secured after the death of Alexander, by treacherously slaying King Porus" Diodorus Siculus XIX-14


With these he rendered him active service in the first [[battle of Gabiene]], although his troops suffered considerably from an attack by Antigonus:
Eudemus and his troops saw active service in the first [[Battle of Gabiene]], although his troops suffered considerably from an attack by Antigonus:
:"On his left wing Eumenes stationed Eudamus, who had brought the elephants from India" Diodorus Siculus, XIX-27
:"On his left wing Eumenes stationed Eudemus, who had brought the elephants from India" Diodorus Siculus, XIX-27
:"Antigonus, now that a break was thus caused in the line of the enemy, charged through with a detachment of cavalry, striking on the flank the troops who had been stationed with Eudamus on the left wing. Because the attack was unexpected, he quickly put to flight those who faced him, destroying many of them". Diododorus Siculus XIX-30
:"Antigonus, now that a break was thus caused in the line of the enemy, charged through with a detachment of cavalry, striking on the flank the troops who had been stationed with Eudemus on the left wing. Because the attack was unexpected, he quickly put to flight those who faced him, destroying many of them". Diodorus Siculus XIX-30


The general of Eudemus's Indian troops, called [[Ceteus]], died in the action.
Ceteus, the general of Eudemus' Indian troops, died in the action.
It seems nevertheless that Eudamus was jealous of Eumenes, and joined in the conspiracy of [[Antigenes (general)|Antigenes]] and [[Teutamus]] against him, though he was afterwards induced to divulge their plans. After the surrender of Eumenes, Eudemus was put to death by order of Antigonus, to whom he had always shewn a marked hostility.<ref>Diodorus, xix. 15, 27, 44; [[Plutarch]], ''[[Parallel Lives]]'', "Eumenes", [http://www.attalus.org/old/eumenes.html#16 16]</ref>:
It seems nevertheless that Eudemus was jealous of Eumenes and joined in the conspiracy of [[Antigenes (general)|Antigenes]] and [[Teutamus]] against him. As a result, Eumenes was betrayed to Antigonus by these officers under his command. Eumenes lost control of his army's baggage camp which included all the loot of the most decorated Macedonian veterans (called the ''Argyraspides,'' or Silver Shields). This treasure had been accumulated over 30 years of successful warfare. Antigonus responded to a request for the return of the baggage train sent by Teutamus, one of their commanders, by demanding they give him Eumenes. The Silver Shields agreed to this.

⚫
:"Now that Antigonus had unexpectedly mastered Eumenes and all the army that had been opposing him, he seized Antigenes, the commander of the Silver Shields, put him into a pit, and burned him alive. He slew Eudamus, who had brought the elephants from India." Diodorus Siculus, XIX-44
Following the surrender of Eumenes, Eudemus was put to death by order of Antigonus, to whom Eudemus had always shown a marked hostility:<ref>Diodorus, xix. 15, 27, 44; [[Plutarch]], ''[[Parallel Lives]]'', "Eumenes", [http://www.attalus.org/old/eumenes.html#16 16]</ref>
⚫
:"Now that Antigonus had unexpectedly mastered Eumenes and all the army that had been opposing him, he seized Antigenes, the commander of the Silver Shields, put him into a pit, and burned him alive. He slew Eudemus, who had brought the elephants from India." Diodorus Siculus, XIX-44


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
Line 20: Line 22:


== References ==
== References ==
* [[William Smith (lexicographer)|Smith, William]] (editor); ''[[Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology]]'', [http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/1184.html "Eudemus (1)"], [[Boston]], (1867)
* [[William Smith (lexicographer)|Smith, William]] (editor); ''[[Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology]]'', [http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/1184.html "Eudemus (1)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051217205121/http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/1184.html |date=2005-12-17 }}, [[Boston]], (1867)


{{Hellenistic satraps}}
{{SmithDGRBM}}
{{SmithDGRBM|title = Eudemus (1)}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Eudemus
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH =
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Eudemus}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Eudemus}}
[[Category:Generals of Alexander the Great]]
[[Category:Generals of Alexander the Great]]
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[[Category:Ancient Greek generals]]
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[[Category:4th-century BC Greek people]]
[[Category:Generals of Eumenes]]
[[Category:Generals of Eumenes]]
[[Category:316 BC deaths]]
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]
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[[Category:4th-century BC births]]

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[[Category:316 BC deaths]]
[[de:Eudemos (General)]]
[[ja:エウダモス (太守)]]
[[sh:Eudem (general)]]
[[fi:Eudamos]]
[[zh:歐德摩斯 (將軍)]]

Latest revision as of 08:59, 29 October 2024

Eudemus ruled, first with Taxiles, the northern dominions of the Indus, down to the junction of the Indus and the Acesines.

Eudemus (Ancient Greek: Εὔδημος; died 316 BC) was one of Alexander the Great's generals. In 326 BC, he was appointed by Alexander as one of the commanders of the troops in India along with Peithon, Porus and Taxiles. After Alexander's death, Eudemus assassinated Porus and effectively controlled Alexander's northern Indian territories until he became involved in the Wars of the Diadochi during which he was captured and killed by Antigonus.

Biography

[edit]

In 326 BC, Eudemus was appointed by Alexander the Great to the command of the troops left in India, after the murder of the Alexander-appointed satrap Philip (son of Machatas) by his own mercenary troops in 326 BC. Alexander dispatched letters to India to Eudemus and also to Taxilas telling them to take charge of the district formerly under Philip, until Alexander could send a satrap to govern the district.[1]

According to Diodorus Siculus after Alexander's unexpected death in 323 BC, Eudemus assassinated the Indian king Porus.[2] As a result, Eudemus became very powerful and in 317 BC, he was able to support Eumenes of Cardia in his war against Antigonus by providing a force of 500 cavalry, 300 infantry, and 120 war elephants.[3]

Eudemus and his troops saw active service in the first Battle of Gabiene, although his troops suffered considerably from an attack by Antigonus:

"On his left wing Eumenes stationed Eudemus, who had brought the elephants from India" Diodorus Siculus, XIX-27
"Antigonus, now that a break was thus caused in the line of the enemy, charged through with a detachment of cavalry, striking on the flank the troops who had been stationed with Eudemus on the left wing. Because the attack was unexpected, he quickly put to flight those who faced him, destroying many of them". Diodorus Siculus XIX-30

Ceteus, the general of Eudemus' Indian troops, died in the action.

It seems nevertheless that Eudemus was jealous of Eumenes and joined in the conspiracy of Antigenes and Teutamus against him. As a result, Eumenes was betrayed to Antigonus by these officers under his command. Eumenes lost control of his army's baggage camp which included all the loot of the most decorated Macedonian veterans (called the Argyraspides, or Silver Shields). This treasure had been accumulated over 30 years of successful warfare. Antigonus responded to a request for the return of the baggage train sent by Teutamus, one of their commanders, by demanding they give him Eumenes. The Silver Shields agreed to this.

Following the surrender of Eumenes, Eudemus was put to death by order of Antigonus, to whom Eudemus had always shown a marked hostility:[4]

"Now that Antigonus had unexpectedly mastered Eumenes and all the army that had been opposing him, he seized Antigenes, the commander of the Silver Shields, put him into a pit, and burned him alive. He slew Eudemus, who had brought the elephants from India." Diodorus Siculus, XIX-44

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Arrian, Anabasis Alexandri, vi. 27.2
  2. ^ Williams, Henry Smith. The Historians' History of the World Vol.2 (of 25) (Illustrations): Israel, India, Persia, Phoenicia, Minor Nations of Western Asia. THE TROW PRESS.
  3. ^ Diodorus Siculus, Bibliotheca, xix. 14
  4. ^ Diodorus, xix. 15, 27, 44; Plutarch, Parallel Lives, "Eumenes", 16

References

[edit]

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870). "Eudemus (1)". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.

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