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Battle of Gabiene
Part of the Second War of the Diadochi
Date Winter 316 BC
Location Gabiene
Result Antigonid victory
Commanders
Antigonus Monophthalmos Eumenes
Casualties and losses
About 5,000 Heavy

Battle of Gabiene (316 BC) was a second great battle (after Paraitacene) between two of Alexander the Great's successors: Antigonus and Eumenes in the wars of the Diadochi. The Second War of the Diadochi is the conflict between Polyperchon and Cassander, following the death of Cassander's father Antipater. Events By place Macedonian Empire Eumenes and Antigonus, rivals to Cassander for control of Macedonia meet in the Battle The Battle of Paraitacene ( 317 BC) was a Battle in the wars of the successors of Alexander the Great (see Diadochi) between Antigonus I Alexander the Great ( or, Mégas Aléxandros; July 20 356 BC June 10 or June 11 323 BC also known as Alexander III of Macedon (el Ἀλέξανδρος Γ' Antigonus I Monophthalmus ("the One-eyed" (382 BC - 301 BC son of Philip from Elimeia, was a Macedonian nobleman general and Satrap Eumenes of Cardia ( Greek: Ευμένης ca 362 BC—316 BC was a Greek general and scholar The Diadochi (plural of Latin Diadochus, from Greek Διάδοχοι, Diadokhoi, "successors" were the rival successors

Contents

Background

After the death of Alexander the Great (323 BC), his generals immediately began squabbling over his empire. Alexander the Great ( or, Mégas Aléxandros; July 20 356 BC June 10 or June 11 323 BC also known as Alexander III of Macedon (el Ἀλέξανδρος Γ' Events By place Macedonian Empire 10 June — In Babylon, Alexander the Great dies ten days after being taken ill Soon it degenerated into open warfare, with each general attempting to claim the a portion of Alexander's vast kingdom. One of the most talented generals among the Diadochi was Antigonus Monophthalmos, so called because of an eye he lost in a siege. During the early years of warfare between the Successor's, he faced Eumenes, a capable general who had already crushed Craterus. For other uses, see Craterus (disambiguation Craterus (ca 370 BC - 321 BC Greek: Κρατερός) was a Macedonian general The two Diadochi fought a series of actions across Anatolia and Persia before finally meeting in what was to be the last clash at Gabiene. Anatolia (Anadolu Ανατολία Anatolía) or Asia minor, comprising most of modern Turkey, is the geographic region bounded by the Black For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics.

Antigonus had been a general for Philip II, king of Macedon, and later for his son Alexander. Philip II of Macedon, ( Greek: Φίλιππος Β' ο Μακεδών &mdash φίλος = friend + ίππος = Horse Macedon or Macedonia ( Greek grc Μακεδονία grc-Latn Makedonía) was the name of a kingdom centered in the northern-most Skilled and experienced in war, he had proved himself in many battles. Eumenes was not of Macedonian origin, unlike the rest of Diadochi. The Ancient Macedonians (Μακεδόνες Makedónes were an ancient tribe which inhabited the alluvial plain around the rivers Haliacmon and lower Axius, north He had been Alexander's secretary, but Alexander seemed to have recognized a military talent in Eumenes, and gave him several senior commands in the campaign in India. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country After Alexander's death, Eumenes quickly showed his skill, allying himself with Perdiccas and winning over much of Anatolia. Perdiccas ( Greek: Περδίκας, Perdikas; died 321 BC or 320 BC was one of Alexander the Great 's generals

Since the sole reference of this battle is ultimately from Eumenes' personal aide Hieronymus of Cardia (later transmitted through the historian Diodorus), who later switched his allegiance to Antigonus, he provides a unique perspective from both parties' point of view. Hieronymus of Cardia (Thrace, Greek general and Historian, contemporary of Alexander the Great (354-250 BC After the death of the king

Strategy of Antigonus and Eumenes

In the middle of Persia, the two armies camped about four and a half miles apart from each other on an uncultivated, flat sandy plain. Antigonus, having a superiority in cavalry, resolved to mass his heavy Thracian cavalry, elephant and light infantry and skirmishers on his right and advance against Eumenes, while refusing his center infantry and his light horse on the left flank. "Thracians" also refers to modern inhabitants of Thrace, regardless of ethnicity Antigonus' son, Demetrius, was given command of the striking force. Demetrius I (337-283 BC Greek: Δημήτριος) called Poliorcetes (Greek Πολιορκητής) ("The Besieger" son of Eumenes, having seen Antigonus' deployment, placed himself and his best cavalry opposite Antigonus' heavy cavalry along with his own elephants and light infantry. He intended to hold Antigonus' charge while using his elite Argyraspides phalanx to win in the center just as they had done at Paraitacene. The Argyraspides (in) in English Silvershields, were a division of the Macedonian army of Alexander the Great, who were so called because they carried The phalanx (Ancient Greek φάλαγξ Modern Greek φάλαγγα phālanga (plural phalanxes or phalanges (Ancient and Modern Greek φάλαγγες The Battle of Paraitacene ( 317 BC) was a Battle in the wars of the successors of Alexander the Great (see Diadochi) between Antigonus I The Argyraspides were a unit of Alexander's veteran hypaspists who had fought under Philip and then Alexander. Hypaspistai, or hypaspists (shield bearers were elite foot Hoplite guardsmen as used by Alexander the Great 's Macedonian army Despite the fact that these battle hardened veterans were old enough to be their opponents' grandfathers, they were still highly respected and thought to be invincible in combat.

Before the battle opened, Antigenes, the leader of the Argyraspides, rode over to Antigonus' phalanx heckling them, "Wicked men, are you sinning against your fathers, who conquered the whole world under Philip and Alexander?". Antigenes (in Greek Aντιγενης; died 316 BC was a general of Alexander the Great, who also served under Philip II of Macedon, and lost The morale of Antigonus' pikemen sunk and the phalanx of Eumenes raised a great cheer in response. Eumenes saw the opportunity and began advancing.

The elephants and light troops, which had been placed in front of each opponent's army began a vicious combat, tusk to tusk as the light infantry attempted to hamstring the enemies' elephants. The cavalry followed, but the conflagration turned to the advantage of Antigonus due to a superiority in number, until Peucestas, heading a large part of Eumenes' cavalry, retreated from combat to a nearby river. Peucestas (in Greek Πευκεστας;lived 4th century BC) was son of Alexander a native of the town of Mieza, in Macedonia and

The battlefield was so dry that great clouds of dust began rising from the fight. Antigonus saw this, and quickly issued orders to his far left flank of light horse. They were to ride around Eumenes' flank into his rear and take the enemy's camp and baggage. The clouds of dust were so dense that Antigonus' Tarantine and Median horse, under the command of his able subordinate, Peithon, were able to take the inadequately guarded camp completely unnoticed and seize control of the baggage. The Medes were an ancient Iranian people who lived in the northwestern portions of present-day Iran. Peithon (about 355 BC - about 314 BC was the son of Crateuas, a nobleman from Eordaia in western Macedonia One of the bodyguards of Alexander the

On the right flank, using the thick dust to cover his movements, Antigonus and Demetrius rode with their heavy cavalry around the engaged skirmishers and elephants to unexpectedly hit Eumenes' horse on their flank. Taken by surprise a great part of Eumenes' heavy cavalry under Eudemus routed, despite Eumenes' heroic efforts to counterattack. Eudemus is also the name of a general of Alexander the Great (died 316 BC Eumenes' elephants and skirmishers also fled, having been beaten by Antigonus' men.

While Eumenes' camp was being plundered and his left flank dissolving into rout, the Argyraspides advanced on Antigonus' phalangites. Completely smashing them, the Argyraspides routed Antigonus' entire phalanx killing five thousand men without a single loss. Eumenes ordered Peucestas to go back into combat with his cavalry and pursue the advantage, but the latter refused to move. Seeing this, Antigonus then ordered his light horse under Peithon, just finished plundering Eumenes' camp to attack the Argyraspides in their rear. However, the Argyraspides were not ordinary soldiers, instead of panicking and fleeing, they calmly formed a large square and safely marched off the field.

Aftermath

Although Antigonus was victorious, the battle's result was, like Paraitacene, inconclusive, with Eumenes still possessing a strong force. That evening, he attempted to convince the army to fight Antigonus again the next day for a conclusive result. However, his army was reluctant, as the satraps of this force wanted to retire to protect their satrapies. See also the related deity Satrapes. Satrap (Persian ساتراپ was the name given to the governors of the Provinces of ancient However, it was the Argyraspides who took matters into their own hands. Learning that Antigonus had ownership of their wives, children and the cumulative plunder of nearly 40 years of continuous warfare, they secretly opened negotiations with Antigonus for their safe return. In return for handing over Eumenes, they would get their baggage and families returned to them. Eager for the return of their baggage, the Argyraspides promptly handed Eumenes and his senior officers to Antigonus.

Although reluctant at first, Antigonus was persuaded by his army to execute Eumenes. Eudemus, who had come from India as an ally of Eumenes and was responsible for the recruitment of Eumenes' elephants and light infantry was also executed, as was the leader of the Argyraspides, Antigenes. Eudemus (in 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 India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country The Macedonians of Eumenes were then drawn into the ranks of Antigonus' army. However, given the demonstrated fickle loyalty of the Argyraspides, Antigonus never used them in a battle. They were sent to the far off satrapy of Arachosia (in modern Afghanistan), where the local satrap Sibyrtius was given special orders to send them out in two or three on dangerous missions, to ensure they didn't survive and become a cohesive unit again. Arachosia (ˌærəˈkoʊʒə, Arakhōsia) or Arachotae (əˈrækəˌtiː, Arakhōtai) is the latinized form of Greek name of an Achaemenid Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, Sibyrtius ( Greek: lived 4th century BC) was a Greekofficer from Crete in the service of Alexander the Great, who was appointed by

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External links

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