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
fo