Cornelii Nepotis Vitae (Hamilton)/Eumenes

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 XVII. Agesilaus XIX. Phocion 
Eumenes, Cardianus. Si fortuna par virtuti
Eumenes, the Cardian. If fortune equal to the virtue
huius data-esset (sub.), ille non quidem
of him had been given, he (would have been) not indeed
maior, sed multo illustrior atque etiam
greater, but by much more illustrious and also
honoratior, quod metimur magnos homines
more honoured, because we measure great men
virtute, non fortuna. Nam quum aetas
by virtue, not by fortune. For when the age
eius cecidisset (sub.) in ea tempora, quibus
of him had fallen into those times, in which
Macedones florerent (sub.), detraxit multum
the Macedonians did flourish, it withdrew much
ei viventi inter eos, quod erat alienae
from him living among them, that he was of a foreign
civitatis, neque aliud defuit huic, quam
state, nor other (thing) was wanting to him, than
generosa stirps. Etsi ille erat summo
a noble descent. Although he was from the highest
domestico genere, tamen Macedones ferebant
domestic race, yet the Macedonians did bear
indigne eum anteponi sibi
indignantly him to be placed before to themselves
aliquando, neque tamen patiebantur non. Enim
sometimes, nor however did they suffer not. For
vincebat omnes cura, vigilantia, patientia,
he did conquer all in care, vigilance, patience,
calliditate, que celeritate ingenii. Hic
shrewdness, and celerity of genius. He
peradolescentulus accessit ad amicitiam Philippi,
a very young man came to the friendship of Philip,
filii Amyntae, que pervenit brevi tempore in
the son of Amyntas, and arrived in short time into
intimam familiaritatem. Enim iam indoles
intimate familiarity. For already a disposition
virtutis fulgebat in adolescentulo. Itaque
of virtue did shine in the young man. Therefore
habuit eum loco scribae ad manum,
he had him in place of scribe to hand (amanuensis),
quod est multo honorificentius apud Graios,
which is by much more honourable with the Greeks,
quam apud Romanos. Namque apud nos scribae
than with the Romans. For with us scribes
existimantur mercenarii, sicut revera sunt; at
are esteemed mercenary, as in reality they are; but
apud illos, e-contrario, nemo admittitur ad
with them, on the contrary, nobody is admitted to
id officium, nisi honesto loco, et
that office, unless in honourable place, both
cognita fide et industria, quod est
with known faith and industry, because it is
necesse eum esse participem omnium consiliorum.
necessary him to be a partaker of all counsels.
Tenuit hunc locum amicitiae apud Philippum
He held this place of friendship with Philip
septem annos. Illo interfecto, fuit tredecim
seven years. He being slain, he was thirteen
annos eodem gradu apud Alexandrum. Novissimo
years in the same degree with Alexander. In the latest
tempore praefuit etiam alterae alae equitum,
time he commanded also to one wing of cavalry,
que appellabatur Hetaerice.[1] Autem adfuit
which was called Hetaerice. But he was present
semper utrique consilio, et habitus-est
always to each in counsel, and was held
particeps omnium rerum.
partaker of all things.


Alexandro mortuo Babylone, quum regna
Alexander having died in Babylon, when the kingdoms
dispertirentur (sub.) singulis familiaribus,
were divided to each (to his several) friends,
et summa rerum tradita-esset (sub.) tuenda
and the chiefdom of things had been delivered to be defended
eidem Perdiccae, cui Alexander moriens
to the same Perdiccas, to whom Alexander dying
dederat suum annulum, ex quo omnes
had given his ring, from which all
coniecerant, eum commendasse regnum ei,
had conjectured, him to have intrusted the kingdom to him,
quoad liberi eius venissent (sub.) in suam
until the children of him had come into their own
tutelam, (enim Craterus et Antipater aberant,
keeping, (for Craterus and Antipater were absent,
qui videbantur antecedere hunc, Hephaestio erat
who did seem to precede him, Hephaestio was
mortuus, quem unum Alexander, quod posset (sub.)
dead, whom alone Alexander, which was able
facile intelligi, fecerat plurimi):
easily to be understood, had made of very much (account):
hoc tempore Cappadocia data-est Eumeni,
in this time Cappadocia was given to Eumenes,
sive potius dicta. Nam erat tum in
or rather said (appointed.) For it was then in
potestate hostium. Perdiccas magno studio
the power of enemies. Perdiccas with great zeal
adiunxerat hunc sibi, quod videbat magnam
had joined him to himself, because he did see great
fidem et industriam in homine, non dubitans,
faith and industry in the man, not doubting,
si pellexisset (sub.), fore magno usui
if he had allured (him), to be about to be to great use
sibi in his rebus, quas apparabat. Enim
to him in those things, which he did prepare. For
cogitabat, quod fere omnes in magnis imperiis
he did think, which almost all in great commands
concupiscunt, corripere atque complecti partes
covet, to seize and to embrace the parts
omnium. Neque vero ille solus fecit hoc, sed
of all. Nor indeed he alone did this, but
quoque omnes ceteri, qui fuerant amici
also all the others, who had been friends
Alexandri. Primus Leonnatus destinaverat praeoccupare
of Alexander. First Leonnatus had designed to pre-occupy
Macedoniam. Is studuit persuadere Eumeni
Macedonia. He studied to persuade to Eumenes
multis que magnis pollicitationibus, ut desereret
with many and great promises, that he should desert
Perdiccam, ac faceret societatem secum.
Perdiccas, and should make alliance with him.
Quum posset (sub.) non perducere eum, conatus-est
When he was able not to bring over him, he endeavoured
interficere, et fecisset, nisi ille effugisset (sub.)
to kill, and would have done (it), unless he had escaped
clam noctu ex praesidiis eius.
secretly by night out of the garrisons of him.


Interim illa bella conflata-sunt, quae, post
Meanwhile those wars were excited, which, after
mortem Alexandri, gesta-sunt ad internecionem,
the death of Alexander, were carried on to destruction,
que omnes concurrerunt ad opprimendum Perdiccam.
and all concurred to oppressing Perdiccas.
Quem etsi videbat infirmum, quod cogebatur
Whom although he did see infirm, because he was forced
unus resistere omnibus, tamen deseruit non
alone to resist to all, yet he deserted not
amicum, neque fuit cupidior salutis, quam
friend, nor was he more desirous of safety, than
fidei. Perdiccas praefecerat eum ei parti
of faith. Perdiccas had appointed him to that part
Asiae, quae iacet inter montem Taurum atque
of Asia, which lies between mount Taurus and
Hellespontum; et opposuerat illum unum Europaeis
the Hellespont; and had opposed him alone to European
adversariis; ipse profectus-erat adversus Ptolemaeum,
adversaries; himself had set out against Ptolemy,
oppugnatum Aegyptum. Eumenes, quum haberet (sub.)
to attack Egypt. Eumenes, when he had
neque magnas neque firmas copias, quod erant
neither great nor strong forces, because they were
inexercitatae, et contractae non multo ante, autem
unexercised, and collected not much before, but
Antipater et Craterus, viri praestantes cum
Antipater and Craterus, men excelling as well
claritate tum usu belli, dicerentur (sub.)
in renown as in practice of war, were said
adventare, que transisse Hellespontum cum
to approach, and to have passed over the Hellespont with
magno exercitu Macedonum, (Macedones
a great army of Macedonians, (the Macedonian
milites vero erant tunc ea fama, qua
soldiers indeed were then in that fame, in which
Romani feruntur nunc: etenim semper
the Romans are reported now: for always
habiti-sunt fortissimi, qui potirentur (sub.)
they have been held bravest, who did obtain
summam imperii.) Eumenes intelligebat, si
the chiefdom of empire.) Eumenes did understand, if
suae copiae cognossent adversus quos
his forces should have known against whom
ducerentur (sub.), non modo ituras non, sed
they were led, not only about to go not, but
dilapsuras simul cum nuntio. Itaque
about to slip away at the same time with the news. Therefore
hoc consilium eius fuit prudentissimum, ut
this counsel of him was most prudent, that
duceret milites deviis itineribus, in quibus
he should lead soldiers by devious journeys, in which
possent (sub.) non audire vera, et persuaderet
they were able not to hear true (things), and should persuade
his, se proficisci contra quosdam barbaros.
to them, himself to set out against certain barbarians.
Itaque tenuit hoc propositum, et eduxit
Therefore he held this purpose, and led out
exercitum in aciem que commisit praelium
the army into field of battle and engaged battle
prius-quam sui milites scirent (sub.), cum quibus
before that his soldiers did know, with whom
conferrent (sub.) arma. Effecit illud
they did bring together (engage) arms. He effected that
etiam praeoccupatione locorum, ut dimicaret (sub.)
also by pre-occupation of places, that he did fight
potius equitatu, quo valebat plus, quam
rather with cavalry, in which he did prevail more, than
peditatu, quo erat deterior.
in infantry, in which he was inferior.


Quum acerrimo concursu quorum
When in most fierce onset of whom
pugnatum-esset (sub.) magnam partem diei,
it had been fought great part of the day,
Craterus dux cadit, et Neoptolemus, qui
Craterus the leader falls, and Neoptolemus, who
tenebat secundum locum imperii. Cum hoc
did hold the second place of command. With him
Eumenes ipse concurrit. Qui complexi
Eumenes himself engaged. Who having embraced
inter se quum decidissent (sub.) in
between themselves when they had fallen unto
terram ex equis, ut posset (sub.) facile
the earth from horses, that it could easily
intelligi, contendisse inimica mente,
to be understood, (them) to have contended with hostile mind,
que pugnasse etiam magis animo quam
and to have fought even more in mind than
corpore, distracti-sunt non prius-quam anima
in body, they were separated not before that life
reliquerit (sub.) alterum. Eumenes vulneratur ab hoc
left one. Eumenes is wounded by him
aliquot plagis, neque eo magis excessit
with several strokes, nor therefore more departed
ex praelio, sed institit hostes acrius.
out of battle, but pressed on the enemies more fiercely.
Hic equitibus profligatis, Cratero duce
Here the horsemen being routed, Craterus the leader
interfecto, praeterea multis et maxime nobilibus
being slain, besides many and chiefly nobles
captis, pedestris exercitus, quod deductus-erat
being taken, the pedestrian army, because it had been led
in ea loca ut, Eumene invito,
into these places that, Eumenes being unwilling,
posset (sub.) non elabi, petiit pacem ab eo.
it could not to escape, sought peace from him.
Quam quum impetrasset (sub.), mansit non in
Which when it had obtained, it remained not in
fide, et, simul-ac potuit, recepit se ad
faith, and, as soon as it could, betook itself to
Antipatrum. Eumenes studuit recreare Craterum
Antipater. Eumenes endeavoured to recover Craterus
elatum ex acie semivivum. Quum posset (sub.)
carried off from the field half-alive. When he could
non id, extulit amplo funere, pro
not that, he buried (him) with ample funeral, for
dignitate hominis que pro pristina amicitia
the dignity of the man and for former friendship
(namque usus-erat illo familiariter, Alexandro
(for he had used him familiarly, Alexander
vivo); que remisit ossa in Macedoniam
being alive); and sent back bones into Macedonia
uxori ac liberis eius.
to wife and children of him.


Dum haec geruntur apud Hellespontum,
Whilst these (things) are carried on at the Hellespont,
Perdiccas interficitur a Seleuco et Antigono
Perdiccas is slain by Seleucus and Antigonus
apud flumen Nilum, que summa rerum
at the river Nile, and the chiefdom of things
defertur ad Antipatrum. Hic, qui deseruerant,
is transferred to Antipater. Here, (those) who had deserted,
exercitu ferente suffragium, absentes damnantur
the army bearing a vote, absent are condemned
capitis: in his Eumenes. Ille
of head: in (among) these Eumenes. He
perculsus hac plaga, succubuit non,
being severely struck with this blow, sunk under not,
neque secius eo administravit bellum. Sed
nor less on that account managed the war. But
etsi exiles res frangebant non magnitudinem
although little things did break not greatness
animi, tamen minuebant. Antigonus persequens
of mind, yet they did diminish. Antigonus pursuing
hunc, quum abundaret (sub.) omni genere copiarum,
him, when he did abound in every kind of forces,
vexabatur saepe in itineribus; neque umquam
was harassed often in marches; nor ever
licebat accedere ad manum, nisi
was it allowed to approach to hand (to engage), unless
his locis, quibus pauci possent (sub.) resistere
in those places, in which few were able to resist
multis. Sed extremo tempore, quum posset (sub.)
to many. But in the last time, when he was able
non capi consilio, circumventus-est multitudine.
not to be taken by counsel, he was surrounded by multitude.
Tamen, expedivit se hinc, multis suis
However, he freed himself hence, many his own (men)
amissis, et confugit in castellum Phrygiae,
being lost, and fled into a castle of Phrygia,
quod appellatur Nora. In quo, quum
which is called Nora. In which when
circumsederetur (sub.), et vereretur (sub.), ne,
he was besieged, and did fear, lest,
manens uno loco, perderet militares equos,
remaining in one place, he should lose the military horses,
quod esset (sub.) non spatium agitandi;
because there was not space of exercising (them);
fuit callidum inventum eius quemadmodum
it was a cunning invention of him how
iumentum stans posset (sub.) calefieri que
a beast standing was able to be warmed and
exerceri, quo et uteretur cibo libentius,
to be exercised, that both it might use food more willingly,
et removeretur non a motu corporis.
and might be removed not from motion of body.
Substringebat caput loro altius quam ut
He did tie up the head with a strap higher than that
posset (sub.) attingere plane terram prioribus pedibus;
it could to touch fully the earth with fore feet;
deinde post cogebat verberibus
then after (from behind) he did force with stripes
exsultare, et remittere calces. Qui motus
to leap, and to send back heels. Which motion
excutiebat sudorem non minus quam si
did strike out sweat not less than if
decurreret (sub.) in spatio. Quo factum-est,
he did run out in (open) space. By which it was done,
quod visum-est mirabile omnibus, ut educeret (sub.)
which seemed wonderful to all, that he did lead out
ex castello iumenta aeque nitida, quum
from the castle the beasts equally sleek, when
fuisset (sub.) complures menses in obsidione, ac si
he had been many months in siege, as if
habuisset (sub.) ea in campestribus locis. In
he had had them in champaign places. In
hac conclusione, quotiescumque voluit, alias
this confinement, as often as he wished, at one time
incendit apparatum et munitiones Antigoni,
he set fire to the preparation and fortifications of Antigonus,
disiecit alias. Autem tenuit se
threw down at another time. But he held himself
uno loco, quamdiu hiems fuit. Quod poterat
in one place, as long as winter was. Because he was able
non habere subsidia castrum et ver
not to have the aids of camps and spring
appropinquabat, simulata deditione, dum tractat
did approach, by pretended surrender, whilst he treats
de conditionibus, imposuit praefectis
of conditions, he imposed on the commanders
Antigoni que extraxit se ac omnes
of Antigonus and drew off himself and all
suos incolumes.
his own (men) safe.


Quum Olympias, que fuerat mater
When Olympias, who had been the mother
Alexandri, misisset (sub.) litteras et nuntios
of Alexander, had sent letters and messengers
ad hunc in Asiam, consultum, utrum
to him into Asia, to consult, whether
iret repetitum Macedoniam, (nam tum
she should go to ask back Macedonia, (for then
habitabat in Epiro) et occuparet eas
she did dwell in Epirus) and should occupy those
res, primum ille suasit huic, moveret
things, first he advised to her, she should move
ne se et exspectaret, quoad filius
not herself and should wait, until the son
Alexandri adipisceretur regnum: sin
of Alexander should obtain the kingdom: but if
raperetur aliqua cupiditate in Macedoniam,
she should be hurried by any desire into Macedonia,
oblivisceretur omnium iniuriarum, et uteretur
she should forget of all injuries, and should use
acerbiore imperio in neminem. Ea fecit nihil
more harsh power unto nobody. She did nothing
horum. Nam et profecta-est in Macedoniam,
of these (things). For both she set out into Macedonia,
et ibi gessit se crudelissime. Autem
and there carried (conducted) herself most cruelly. But
petiit ab Eumene absente, pateretur
she sought from Eumenes absent, he would suffer
ne, inimicissimos domus et familiae Philippi
not, the most hostile of the house and family of Philip
interimere stirpem quoque, que ferret
to cut off the offspring also, and should bring
opem liberis Alexandri. Quam veniam
assistance to the children of Alexander. Which favor
si daret, pararet exercitus quam-primum,
if he would give, he should prepare armies as soon as possible,
quos adduceret subsidio sibi. Quo faceret
which he might lead to assistance to her. That he might do
id facilius, se misisse litteras omnibus
that more easily, herself to have sent letters to all
praefectis, qui manebant in officio, ut
the commanders, who did remain in duty, that
parerent ei, que uterentur consiliis
they should obey to him, and should use the counsels
eius. Eumenes permotus his rebus, duxit
of him. Eumenes much moved by these things, led (deemed it)
satius, si fortuna tulisset ita,
better, if fortune should have carried thus,
perire, referentem gratiam meritis
to perish, returning favour to (those) having deserved
bene, quam vivere ingratum.
well, than to live ungrateful.


Itaque contraxit copias, comparavit bellum
Therefore he collected forces, prepared war
adversus Antigonum. Quod complures nobiles
against Antigonus. Because many noble
Macedones erant una, in his Peucestes,
Macedonians were together, in (among) these Peucestes,
qui fuerat custos corporis Alexandri, autem
who had been guard of the body of Alexander, but
tum obtinebat Persidem; et Antigones, sub
then did hold Persia; and Antigones, under
imperio cuius phalanx Macedonum
the command of whom the phalanx of the Macedonians
erat, verens invidiam, (quam tamen potuit non
was, fearing envy, (which yet he was able not
effugere,) si ipse alienigena potiretur summi
to escape,) if himself a foreigner should possess highest
imperii potius quam alii Macedonum, quorum
power rather than others of the Macedonians, of whom
erat multitudo ibi; statuit tabernaculum
there was a multitude there; he placed a tent
in principiis nomine Alexandri, et in eo
in the principia[2] in the name of Alexander, and in it
iussit auream sellam cum sceptro ac diademate
he ordered a golden chair with sceptre and diadem
poni, que omnes convenire eo quotidie,
to be placed, and all to assemble thither daily,
ut ibi consilia de summis rebus caperentur;
that there counsels about highest things might be taken;
credeas se fere minore invidia, si
believing himself to be about to be in less envy, if
videretur administrare bellum, specie imperii,
he should seem to manage the war, in appearance of empire,
que simulatione nominis Alexandri. Quod et
and by pretence of the name of Alexander. Which also
fecit. Nam quum conveniretur (sub.) non ad
he did. For when it was assembled not to
principia Eumenis, sed ad regia,
the principia of Eumenes, but to the royal (head-quarters),
atque ibi deliberaretur (sub.) de rebus,
and there it was deliberated about things,
quodammodo latebat, quum tamen omnia
in a certain manner it was concealed, when yet all (things)
gererentur (sub.) per eum unum.
were carried on by him alone.


Hic conflixit in Paraetacis cum Antigono, non
He engaged in Paraetaci with Antigonus, not
acie instructa, sed in itinere, que coegit
with army drawn up, but in march, and forced
eum male acceptum redire in Mediam
him badly received to return into Media
hiematum. Ipse divisit copias hiematum in
to winter. He divided the forces to winter in
finitima regione Persidis, non ut voluit,
neighbouring region of Persia, not as he wished,
sed ut voluntas militum cogebat. Namque
but as the will of the soldiers did force. For
illa phalanx Alexandri Magni, quae peragrarat
that phalanx of Alexander the Great, which had traversed
Asiam que devicerat Persas, inveterata cum
Asia and had conquered the Persians, grown old as well
gloria, tum etiam licentia, postulabat
in glory, as also in licentiousness, did demand
se non parere ducibus, sed imperare; ut
themselves not to obey to leaders, but to command; as
nostri veterani nunc faciunt. Itaque est
our veterans now do. Therefore there is
periculum, ne faciant, quod illi fecerunt
danger, lest they may do, what they did
sua intemperantia que nimia licentia,
by their disorderliness and by too great licentiousness,
ut perdant omnia, neque minus eos,
that they may destroy all (things), nor less those,
cum quibus steterint (sub.), quam adversus quos
with whom they have stood, than against whom
fecerint (sub.). Quod-si quis legat facta
they have done. But-if any one may read the deeds
illorum veteranorum, cognoscat paria horum,
of those veterans, he may know (them) equal of these,
neque iudicet ullam rem interesse, nisi
nor may he judge any thing to differ, unless
tempus. Sed revertar ad illos. Sumserant
the time. But I shall return to those. They had taken
hiberna, non ad usum belli, sed ad
winter-quarters, not to the use of war, but to
luxuriam ipsorum, que discesserant longe inter
luxury of themselves, and had departed far among
se. Quum Antigonus comperisset (sub.) hoc,
themselves. When Antigonus had found out this,
que intelligeret (sub.) se non esse parem
and did understand himself not to be equal
paratis adversariis, statuit aliquid novi
to prepared adversaries, he resolved something of new
consilii esse capiendum sibi. Erant duae
counsel to be to be taken to (by) himself. There were two
viae, qua posset (sub.) perveniri ex
ways, by which it was able to be arrived out of
Medis, ubi ille hiemabat, ad hibernacula
the Medes, where he did winter, to the winter-quarters
adversariorum. Brevior quarum per deserta
of adversaries. The shorter of which through desert
loca, quae nemo incolebat, propter inopiam
places, which nobody did inhabit, on account of the want
aquae, ceterum erat fere decem dierum;
of water, but it was almost of ten days;
autem illa, qua omnes commeabant, habebat
but that, by which all did go, had
anfractum tanto longiorem altero, sed
a winding by so much longer than the other, but
erat copiosa que abundans omnium rerum. Si
it was copious and abounding of all things. Si
proficisceretur hac, intelligebat, adversarios
he should set out by this, he did understand, the adversaries
rescituros de suo adventu, prius-quam ipse
about to know of his coming, before that himself
confecisset (sub.) tertiam partem itineris: sin
had finished a third part of the journey: but if
contenderet per sola loca, sperabat,
he should proceed through lone places, he did hope,
se oppressurum hostem imprudentem. Ad
himself about to oppress the enemy unaware. To
hanc rem conficiendam, imperavit
this thing to be accomplished, he commanded
quam-plurimos utres atque etiam culleos
as many as possible leathern bottles and even sacks
comparari; post haec pabulum, praeterea cocta
to be prepared; after these fodder, besides cooked
cibaria decem dierum, que ut ignis
provisions of ten days, and that fire
quam-minime fieret in castris.
as little as possible should be made in the camps.
Celat omnes iter quod habebat. Sic
He conceals from all the journey which he had. Thus
paratus, proficiscitur, qua constituerat.
prepared, he sets out, which way he had resolved.


Confecerat fere dimidium spatium, quum
He had finished about the half space, when
ex fumo castrorum eius suspicio allata-est
from the smoke of the camps of him suspicion was brought
ad Eumenem, hostem appropinquare. Duces
to Eumenes, the enemy to approach. The leaders
conveniunt; quaeritur, quid sit opus
meet; it is asked, what may be necessary
facto. Omnes intelligebant, copias ipsorum
for deed. All did understand, the forces of them
non posse contrahi tam celeriter, quam
not to be able to be collected so quickly, as
Antigonus videbatur adfuturus. Hic, omnibus
Antigonus did seem about to be present. Here, all
titubantibus et desperantibus de summis rebus,
hesitating and despairing about highest things,
Eumenes ait, Si velint (sub.) adhibere celeritatem,
Eumenes says, If they wish to apply speed,
et facere imperata, quod fecerint (sub.) non
and to do commands, which they have done not
ante, se expediturum rem. Nam
before, himself about to disentangle the affair. For
quod hostis posset (sub.) transisse quinque
what the enemy was able to have passed in five
diebus, se effecturum, ut retardaretur
days, himself about to effect, that he should be retarded
non minus spatio totidem dierum; quare
not less than the space of as many days; wherefore
circumirent, que quisque contraheret suas
they should go about, and every one should collect his
copias. Autem capit tale consilium ad refrenandum
forces. But he takes such counsel to curbing
impetum Antigoni. Mittit certos homines ad
the force of Antigonus. He sends certain men to
infimos montes, qui erant obvii
lowest (the bottom of) the mountains, which were opposite
itineri adversariorum, que praecipit his,
to the journey of adversaries, and commands to them,
ut faciant ignes quam-maximos,
that they may make fires as great as possible,
quam-latissime possent (sub.) prima nocte, atque
as widely as they could in first night, and
minuant hos secunda vigilia, reddant
may lessen them in second watch, may render (them)
perexiguos tertia; et, consuetudine castrorum
very small in third; and, the custom of camps
assimulata, iniiciant suspicionem hostibus, castra
being imitated, may throw suspicion to enemies, camps
esse his locis, ac praenuntiatum-esse de
to be in these places, and to have been foretold of
adventu eorum, que faciant idem
the approach of them, and they may do the same
postera nocte. Quibus imperatum-erat,
on the next night. (Those) to whom it had been commanded,
curant praeceptum diligenter. Tenebris
care for (perform) the order diligently. Darknesses
obortis, Antigonus conspicatur ignes; credit
having arisen, Antigonus beholds fires; he believes
auditum-esse de suo adventu, et adversarios
to have been heard of his approach, and adversaries
contraxisse suas copias illuc. Mutat
to have collected their forces thither. He changes
consilium, et quoniam posset (sub.) non adoriri
counsel, and since he was able not to attack (them)
imprudentes, flectit suum iter, et capit illum
unaware, he bends his journey, and takes that
longiorem anfractum copiosae viae, que ibi
longer winding of the copious way, and there
opperitur unum diem, ad lassitudinem militum
stays one day, to the weariness of soldiers
sedandam, ac iumenta reficienda, quo
to be assuaged, and beasts to be refreshed, that
decerneret integriore exercitu.
he might fight with fresher army.


Hic Eumenes vicit calidum imperatorem
Here Eumenes conquered the shrewd commander
consilio, que impedivit celeritatem eius, neque
by counsel, and hindered the speed of him, nor
tamen profecit multum. Nam invidia ducum,
however profited much. For by envy of the leaders,
cum quibus erat, que perfidia
with whom he was, and by the treachery
Macedonum veteranorum, quum discessisset (sub.)
of the Macedonian veterans, when he had departed
superior praelio, deditus-est Antigono, quum
superior in battle, he was given up to Antigonus, when
exercitus iurasset (sub.) ei ter ante separatis
the army had sworn to him thrice before in separate
temporibus, se defensurum eum, nec umquam
times, itself about to defend him, nor ever
deserturum. Sed tanta fuit obtrectatio
about to desert. But so great was the detraction
nonnullorum virtutis, ut mallent (sub.)
of some of virtue, that they were more willing
amittere fidem, quam non prodere eum. Atque
to lose faith, than not to betray him. And
Antigonus, quum fuisset (sub.) infestissimus ei,
Antigonus, when he had been most hostile to him,
conservasset hunc si licitum-esset (sub.) per
would have saved him, if it had been allowed by
suos, quod intelligebat se posse
his own (people), because he did understand himself to be able
adiuvari plus ab nullo, in his rebus, quas
to be assisted more by none, in these things, which
apparebat iam omnibus impendere. Enim
it did appear already to all to impend. For
Seleucus, Lysimachus, Ptolemaeus, iam valentes
Seleucus, Lysimachus, Ptolemaeus, now prevailing
opibus, imminebant, cum quibus erat
in resources, did hang over (threaten), with whom it was
dimicandum ei de summis rebus.
to be fought to (by) him concerning highest things.
Sed hi, qui erant circa, passi-sunt non, quod
But these, who were around, suffered not, because
videbant, Eumene recepto, omnes futuros
they did see, Eumenes being received, all about to be
parvi prae illo. Autem
of small (account) before (in comparison with) him. But
Antigonus ipse erat incensus adeo, ut
Antigonus himself was incensed so much, that
posset (sub.) non leniri nisi magna spe
he could not to be appeased unless by great hope
maximarum rerum.
of greatest things.


Itaque, quum dedisset (sub.) eum in custodiam,
Therefore, when he had given him into custody,
et praefectus custodum quaesisset (sub.)
and the prefect of the guards had asked
quemadmodum vellet (sub.) servari? inquit, ut
in what manner he did wish (him) to be kept? he says, as
acerrimum leonem, aut ferocissimum elephantum.
a most fierce lion, or a most ferocious elephant.
Enim statuerat nondum, conservaret
For he had resolved not yet, (whether) he should preserve
eum, nec-ne. Autem utrumque genus hominum
him, or not. But each kind of men
veniebat ad Eumenem; et qui, propter
did come to Eumenes; both who, on account of
odium, vellent (sub.) capere fructum oculis
hatred, did wish to take enjoyment with eyes
ex casu eius, et qui, propter veterem
from the fall of him, and who, on account of ancient
amicitiam, cuperent (sub.) colloqui que consolari:
friendship, did desire to speak with and console:
multi etiam, qui studebant cognoscere formam
many also, who did desire to know the form
eius, qualis esset (sub.), quem timuissent (sub.)
of him, what kind he was, whom they had feared
tam-diu que tam valde, in pernicie cuius
so long and so greatly, in the destruction of whom
habuissent (sub.) spem victoriae positam. At
they had had hope of victory placed. But
Eumenes, quum esset (sub.) diutius in vinculis,
Eumenes, when he was longer in chains,
ait Onomarcho, penes quem summa
says to Onomarchus, in power of whom chiefdom
imperii custodiae erat, se mirari,
of command of the guard was, himself to wonder,
quare teneretur (sub.) sic iam tertium diem;
wherefore he was held thus now the third day;
enim hoc non convenire prudentiae Antigoni, ut
for this not to agree to the prudence of Antigonus, that
sic deuteretur victo; quin iuberet
thus he should abuse the conquered; but that he should order (him)
aut interfici aut fieri missum.
either to be slain or to be made sent (to be liberated).
Quum hic videretur (sub.) Onomarcho loqui
When he did seem to Onomarchus to speak
ferocius: Quid? inquit, si eras isto animo,
more boldly; What? says he, if thou wast in that mind,
cur cecidisti non in praelio, potius quam
why hast thou fallen not in battle, rather than
venires in potestatem inimici? Eumenes
thou shouldst come into the power of enemy? Eumenes
huic, Utinam quidem istud evenisset (sub.)!
(says) to him, I wish indeed that had happened!
sed eo accidit non, quod congressus-sum
but therefore it happened not, because I have engaged
numquam cum fortiore. Enim contuli non
never with a braver. For I engaged not
arma cum quoquam, quin is succubuerit (sub.)
arms with any one, but that he fell under (yielded)
mihi. Enim decidi non virtute hostium, sed
to me. For I fell not by bravery of enemies, but
perfidia amicorum. [Neque id falsum.
by treachery of friends. [Nor (was) that false.
Nam fuit et honesta dignitate, et viribus
For he was both with noble dignity, and with strengths
firmis ad ferendum laborem, neque tam magno
firm to bearing labour, nor so with great
corpore, quam venusta figura.]
body, as with graceful figure.]


Quum Antigonus auderet (sub.) non solus constituere
When Antigonus did dare not alone to determine
de hoc, retulit ad consilium. Hic, quum
concerning him, he referred to a counsel. Here, when
plerique omnes primo perturbati admirarentur (sub.),
most all at first being troubled did wonder,
supplicium non iam sumtum-esse de eo, a
punishment not now to have been taken of him, by
quo habiti-essent (sub.) adeo male tot
whom they had been had (treated) so badly so many
annos, ut adducti-forent (sub.) saepe ad desperationem,
years, that they had been brought often to despair,
que qui interfecisset (sub.) maximos duces,
and who had slain the greatest leaders,
denique in quo uno tantum esset (sub.), ut,
finally in whom alone so much was, that,
quoad ille viveret, ipsi possent (sub.) non esse
whilst he should live, they were able not to be
securi; interfecto, habituri-essent nihil negotii;
secure; being slain, they should have nothing of business (trouble);
postremo, si redderet salutem illi,
lastly, if he should render safety to him,
quaerebant, quibus amicis usurus-esset? enim
they did ask, with what friends he would use? for
sese non futuros apud eum cum Eumene.
themselves not about to be at him with Eumenes.
Voluntate consilii cognita, tamen hic
The will of the council being known, however he
reliquit sibi spatium deliberandi usque ad
left to himself space of deliberating until to
septimum diem. Autem tum, quum iam
the seventh day. But then, when now
vereretur (sub.) ne qua seditio exercitus
he did fear lest any sedition of the army
oriretur, vetuit quemquam admitti ad
should arise, he forbade any one to be admitted to
eum, et iussit quotidianum victum amoveri.
him, and ordered the daily food to be removed.
Nam negabat se allaturum vim ei,
For he did deny himself about to bring violence to him,
qui aliquando fuisset (sub.) amicus. Hic tamen,
who once had been a friend. He however,
fatigatus fame non amplius quam triduum,
wearied with hunger not more than three days,
quum castra moverentur (sub.), iugulatus-est a
when the camps were moved, was butchered by
custodibus, Antigono insciente.
the guards, Antigonus not knowing.


Sic Eumenes, quadraginta et quinque annorum,
Thus Eumenes, of forty and five years,
quum ab vicesimo anno, ut ostendimus supra,
when from the twentieth year, as we shewed above,
apparuisset (sub.) septem annos Philippo, et
he had attended seven years to Philip, and
obtinuisset (sub.) eumdem locum apud Alexandrum
had held the same place at (with) Alexander
tredecim, in his praefuisset (sub.) uni alae
thirteen, in these he had commanded to one wing
equitum, autem post mortem Alexandri Magni,
of horsemen, but after the death of Alexander the Great,
duxisset (sub.) exercitus imperator, que partim
he had led armies (as) commander, and partly
repulisset (sub.), partim interfecisset (sub.) summos
had repelled, partly had slain the highest
duces, captus non virtute Antigoni, sed
leaders, being taken not by bravery of Antigonus, but
periurio Macedonum, habuit talem exitum
by perjury of the Macedonians, had such an end
vitae. In quo quanta opinio fuerit (sub.)
of life. In whom how great the opinion was
omnium eorum, qui post Alexandrum Magnum
of all those, who after Alexander the Great
appellati-sunt reges, potest iudicari ex hoc
were called kings, can to be judged from this
facillime, quod nemo, Eumene vivo,
most easily, because nobody, Eumenes (being) alive,
appellatus-est rex, sed praefectus; idem, post
was called king, but governor; the same, after
occasum huius, sumserunt statim regium
the fall of him, took immediately the royal
ornatum que nomen, neque voluerunt praestare id
adornment and name, nor willed they to perform that
quod initio praedicarant, se
which in the beginning they had declared, themselves
servare regnum liberis Alexandri, et
to preserve the kingdom to the children of Alexander, and
uno propugnatore sublato, aperuerunt
the only defender being taken away, they disclosed
quid sentirent (sub.). Principes huius sceleris
what they did think. The principals of this crime
fuerunt Antigonus, Ptolemaeus, Seleucus, Lysimachus,
were Antigonus, Ptolemaeus, Seleucus, Lysimachus,
Cassander. Autem Antigonus tradidit Eumenem
Cassander. But Antigonus delivered Eumenes
mortuum propinquis eius sepeliendum. Hi
dead to relations of him to be buried. They
humaverunt militari honesto funere, toto
interred (him) with military honourable funeral, the whole
exercitu comitante, que curarunt ossa eius
army attending, and took care the bones of him
deportanda in Cappadociam ad matrem atque
to be carried into Cappadocia to the mother and
uxorem que liberos eius.
wife and children of him.
  1. From ἑταῖρος, a friend, a band of friends or companions.
  2. The principia was a large open space in the middle of the camp, in which were the tent and tribunal of the general and other superior officers.