Eudemus (general)

Eudemus (Ancient Greek: Εὔδημος; died 316 BC) was one of Alexander the Great's generals. In 326 BC he was appointed by the king as the commander of Alexander's troops in India. After Alexander's death, Eudemus effectively controlled Alexander's northern Indian territories until he became involved in the Seleucid-Mauryan war during which he was killed by the son of King Porus, Malayketu.

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

Biography

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 Eudamus 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]

After Alexander's death in 323 BC, Eudemus made himself master of the territories of the Indian king Porus and, according to Diodorus Siculus (source needed). 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 horsemen, 300 footmen, and 120 elephants.[2]

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

"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:[3]

"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

Notes

1. Arrian, Anabasis Alexandri, vi. 27.2
2. Diodorus Siculus, Bibliotheca, xix. 14
3. Diodorus, xix. 15, 27, 44; Plutarch, Parallel Lives, "Eumenes", 16

References

• Smith, William (editor); Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, "Eudemus (1)", Boston, (1867)

 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.