Eudemus (general)

Eudamus 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, who was appointed by him 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 BCE:^[1]

"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)

After Alexander's death (323 BC) he made himself master of the territories of the Indian king 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 a force of 3500 men and 125 elephants.:^[2]

"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:

"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 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

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

It seems nevertheless that Eudamus was jealous of Eumenes, and joined in the conspiracy of 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.:^[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

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). "^{article name needed}". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.