Battle of Gabiene (315 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. In general Diadochi (in Greek Διάδοχοι, transcripted Diadochoi) means successors, such that the neoplatonic refounders of Platos Academy in Late Antiquity referred to themselves as diadochi (of Plato). ... In general Diadochi (in Greek Διάδοχοι, transcripted Diadochoi) means successors, such that the neoplatonic refounders of Platos Academy in Late Antiquity referred to themselves as diadochi (of Plato). ... The battle of Paraitacene (317 BC) was a battle in the wars of the successors of Alexander the Great (see diadochi) between Antigonus and Eumenes. ... The Battle of Gaza was a battle of the Third war of the Diadochi between Ptolemy (satrap of Egypt) and Demetrius (son of Antigonus I Monophthalmus). ... The naval Battle of Salamis took place in 306 BC near Salamis, Cyprus between the fleets of Ptolemy I of Egypt and Demetrius, two of the diadochi, the successors to Alexander the Great. ... Combatants Antigonid dynasty Rhodes Ptolemaic dynasty Seleucid Empire Commanders Demetrius ? Strength ? ? Casualties ? ? For siege of Rhodes in 1522, see Siege of Rhodes. ... Combatants Antigonids Macedonians Seleucids Commanders Antigonus I† Demetrius I of Macedon Prepelaus Lysimachus Seleucus I Nicator Pleistarchus Strength 45,000 heavy infantry 25,000 light infantry 10,000 cavalry 75 elephants 40,000 heavy infantry 20,000 light infantry 12,000 Iranian cavalry 3,000 heavy cavalry 400 elephants 100... The Battle of Corupedium (also called Corupedion) is the name of the last battle of the Diadochi, the rival successors to Alexander the Great. ... Centuries: 5th century BC - 4th century BC - 3rd century BC Decades: 360s BC 350s BC 340s BC 330s BC 320s BC - 310s BC - 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 260s BC 320 BC 319 BC 318 BC 317 BC 316 BC - 315 BC - 314 BC 313 BC 312... The battle of Paraitacene (317 BC) was a battle in the wars of the successors of Alexander the Great (see diadochi) between Antigonus and Eumenes. ... Alexander the Great (Greek: Μέγας Αλέξανδρος[1] Megas Alexandros; July 356 BC — June 11, 323 BC), also known as Alexander III, king of Macedon (336–323 BC), is considered one of the most successful military commanders in world history, conquering most of the known world before his death. ... Antigonus I Cyclops or Monophthalmos (the One-eyed, so called from his having lost an eye) (382 BC - 301 BC) was a Macedonian nobleman, general, and satrap under Alexander the Great. ... Eumenes of Cardia (c. ... In general Diadochi (in Greek Διάδοχοι, transcripted Diadochoi) means successors, such that the neoplatonic refounders of Platos Academy in Late Antiquity referred to themselves as diadochi (of Plato). ...

Background

After the death of Alexander the Great, his generals immediately began squabbling over his huge empire. 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 Successor generals was Antigonos 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, an extremely capable general who had already crushed Craterus. 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.

Antigonos had been a general for Philip, and later for his son Alexander. Skilled and experienced in war, he had proved himself in many battles. Eumenes was of Greek origin, unlike the Macedonian background of the rest of Successors. He had been Alexander's secretary, but Alexander seemed to have recognized a undeniable military talent in Eumenes, and gave him several senoir commands in the campaign in India. After Alexander's death, Eumenes quickly showed his skill, allying himself with Perdiccas and winning over much of Anatolia.

Since the sole reference of this battle is ultimately from Eumenes' personal aid 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.

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. Antigonos, 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 centre infantry and his light horse on the left flank. Antigonus' son, Demetrius was given command of the striking force. Eumenes, having seen Antigonus' deployment, placed himself and his best cavalry opposite Antigonos heavy cavalry along with his own elephants and light infantry. He intended to hold Antigonus' charge while using his elite Silver Shields phalanx to win in the centre just as they had done at Paraitacene. The Silver Shields were a unit of Alexander's veteran hypaspists who had fought under Philip and then Alexander. 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 Silver Shields rode over to Antigonus' phalanx heckling them, "Wicked men, are you sinning against your fathers, who conquered the whole world under Philip and Alexander?" . 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 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.

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 Eumene's horse on their flank. Taken by surprise a great part of Eumene's heavy cavalry routed, despite Eumene's heroic efforts to counterattack. 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 Silver Shields advanced on Antigonus' phalangites. Completely smashing them, the Silver Shields routed Antigonos' entire phalanx killing five thousand men without a single loss. Seeing this, Antigonus then ordered his light horse under Peithon, just finished plundering Eumene's camp to attack the Silver Shields in their rear. However, the Silver Shields were not ordinary soldiers, instead of panicking and fleeing, they calmly formed a large square and safely marched off the field.

Result of Battle

Although Antigonus was victorius, but like Paraitacene neither side was finished, Eumenes still possessed 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, the satraps of this force wanted to retire to protect their satrapies. However, it was the Silver Shields who took matters into their own hands. Learning that Antigonus had ownership of their wives, children and the culumitive 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 Silver Shields promptly handed Eumenes and his senoir officers to Antigonus.

Although reluctant at first, Antigonus was persuaded by his army to execute Eumenes. Eudamos, the Indian ally of Eumenes who was respnsible for the recruitment of Eumenes elephants and light infantry was also executed as was the leader of the Silver Shields, Antigenes. The Macedonians of Eumenes were then drawn into the ranks of Antigonus' army. However, given the demonstrated fickle loyalty of the Silver Shields, Antigonos wisely never used them in a battle. They were sent to the far of Satrapy of Khandahar (in modern Afghanistan), where the satrap was given special orders to send them out in twos or threes on dangerous missions. To ensure they didn't survive and become and cohesive unit again.

External links

• Lecture Notes for Week Fourteen

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