to make the place good, and hoping that the mutability, to which the present estate was manifestly subject, would in continuance of some years (which he might abide) work more for him, than his enemies in that space could work against him. His most fear was, that for want of exercise in that narrow castle his men and horses might grow sickly and unserviceable; which made him to practise many devices of keeping them in health, and lusty. But when he had continued shut up in this manner about a year, his hopes came to good pass, and he was eased of his cares by Antigonus himself, whose forces held him besieged.

Antigonus, knowing the great sufficiency of Eumenes, and considering his fidelity shewed unto Perdiccas, thought that he could not find in all the world a fitter man than him to employ in managing those high designs, wherein he doubted not that he should be withstood by the mightiest princes of the empire. He sent therefore to Eumenes by one that was friend to them both, acquainting him with some part of his intent, and promising to make him a greater lord than ever he had been, and the next man to himself, if things fell out as he desired: in regard whereof he required only his friendship, and thereupon sent him an oath to take; which done, he might at his good pleasure issue safely out of Nora, and enjoy his perfect liberty. Eumenes, perusing the form of the oath, perceived the meaning of Antigonus; which was, rather to make him his follower than his fellow. For whereas, in a few words, it mentioned the king and princes of the blood, rather to keep the decorum, than upon any loyal intent; the binding words, and sum of all the rest, were such as tied him fast only to Antigonus, omitting all reservation of duty to the king, or any other. This he liked not, holding it unseemly to become a sworn man to him with whom he had fought for the mastery, and being assured that his voluntary assistance, which way soever he gave, would be more acceptable, and far more honourable than the course propounded. Yet would he not therefore break off the negotiation, and wait for some better occasion of enlargement, which might perhaps be long in coming;

but seming to be well agreed with Antigonus, he prepared to give up his hold and depart. As for the oath itself, when he came to take it, he made show of dislike, in that it was not solemn enough for such personages as they were, who could not be too ceremonious in testifying their allegiance. The Macedonians, which lay encamped before Nora, liked his words, and gave him leave to put in Olympias, and the children of Alexander, binding himself to them and their adherents, as well as to Antigonus; and so he departed.

Antigonus had taken upon him, as soon as he came down to the sea-side, to remove some of the governors of provinces, behaving himself according to the authority which he had received of Antipater to exercise in the time of war. Neither did he want sufficient pretence whereby to justify his proceedings. For if Polysperchon might lawfully hold the protectorship, which the old man doting on his deathbed bequeathed unto him as a legacy, without consent of the princes or soldiers; why might not he himself as well retain the lieutenantship of Asia, that was granted unto him for the general good of the state, in presence of the whole army, by the king, and by Antipater, who had power to ordain what should seem convenient whilst he lived, not to dispose of things that should happen after his death? To give a fair colour to his ambition, this was enough; if any were not herewith satisfied, he had threescore thousand footmen, ten thousand horse, and thirty elephants in a readiness to answer them.

The first that perceived his drift, and provided to resist him, was Aridæus, governor of Phrygia; who fortified the towns of his own province, and sought to have won Cyzicus, a fair haven town, and seated very conveniently for him, but was fain to go away without it. Hereupon Antigonus took occasion to command him out of the country. Aridæus was so far from obeying him, that he sent forces to relieve Eumenes: nevertheless, finding that he was unable of himself to make long resistance, he took such companies as he could draw along with him, and so passed over

into Europe, to complain at the court. The like fortune had Clitus, who ruled in Lydia, and sought the like remedy of his fortune, with some hope at the first, (for both of them were entertained with very good words,) which quickly vanished, and grew desperate, when they were beaten at sea, as hath already been declared.

SECT. XVIII.

Antigonus pursues Eumenes; Eumenes, having authority from the court, raiseth great war against Antigonus in defence of the royal house.

ANTIGONUS having thus gotten into his hands all, or most of Asia the Less, was able to have entered Macedon, and seized upon the court; which that he forbare to do, it proceeded, as may seem, for some of these reasons. It would have bred as much jealousy in Cassander, as fear in Polysperchon, which might have brought them to terms of reconciliation; it would ask more time than he could spare; and the envy which followed the protectorship was such, as he that had power enough without the office ought rather to shun than to pursue. Besides all this, it was manifest that Eumenes would not only refuse to take his part, but would make war upon him in defence of the royal house, to which it was found that Antigonus did not stand well affected. Against him therefore he bent his course, and with an army of twenty thousand foot and four thousand horse made great haste towards Cilicia, hoping to suppress him before he should be able to make head.

Eumenes was one of those few that continued faithful to their dead master, which being well known in the court, he had commission sent unto him from thence to raise an army, and make war upon Antigonus, taking of the king's treasure as much as he should need. Other letters also there were directed to all the governors of provinces, requiring them to give assistance to Eumenes, and be ordered by his direction; especially to the captains of the old soldiers, called the Argyraspides, or silver-shielded bands, commandment was

given to be at his appointment. He had of his old followers gathered together two thousand foot and five hundred horse, before this authority was given him: but now he purposed, with all the strength which he could make, to fight with Antigonus in defence of the royal blood. Olympias had written to him, desiring him to bring help to her and her nephew, the son of Alexander; and in the mean time to give her his advice in that which Polysperchon required of her; for she was desirous to return into Macedon, but suspected his ambition, as not contained within lawful bounds. Eumenes therefore counselled her to remain in Epirus, till such time as he could bring the war to a good issue; which done, he promised that his faith and care should not be wanting to the seed of Alexander.

Strange it is to consider, that in all the empire scarce any one could be found among the noblemen in whom Alexander's mother, wives, and children, might repose firm confidence, saving only this Eumenes, a stranger to the Macedonian blood, born at Cardia, a city of Thrace. His reputation was no more than his own virtue had made it; his followers obeyed at their own discretion, and compelled he was to travel as far as Persia, to gather together an army sufficient to resist the enemies that pursued his heels.

SECT. XIX.

How the princes of Macedon stood affected mutually. Olympias takes Aridæus and Eurydice, whom she cruelly puts to death. NOW, forasmuch as in this present war all the rulers of the provinces did intermeddle, and great alterations happened, not only in the parts of Asia, but Macedon itself; which brought a new face unto the state, by the extirpation of the royal house of Philip and Alexander; I hold it convenient in this place, before we enter into the particulars of the war itself, to shew briefly how the great ones did mutually stand affected, and by what passions they were drawn into those courses which overthrew most of them, and out of their ruins built, the greatness of a few: as likewise to what ex

tremity the faction brake out in Macedon itself, about the main controversy of title to the crown, whereupon all other quarrels were or should have been depending.

Aridæus the king, being simple and fearful, did only what he was bidden.

Polysperchon, desirous to continue long in office, had a purpose to advance the son of Alexander by Roxana to the kingdom, and become governor to a king of his own making.

Eurydice the queen, discovering plainly this intent, and meaning nothing less than to let her husband serve as a stale, keeping the throne warm till another were grown old enough to sit in it, grew acquainted with Cassander, who hated the memory of Alexander, and was therefore the fitter for her turn.

Cassander held fresh in mind the danger wherein his family had been through Alexander's malice, together with the indignity offered to himself by Alexander, who knocked his head against a wall, for deriding one that adored him after the Persian manner. The displeasure hereof, and the pleasure which he took in the amorous queen, made him resolve both to suppress the lineage which he hated, and to maintain his beloved mistress, either by supporting her weak husband, or by taking her to be his own wife.

The rest of the lords held it a thing indifferent who reigned over all, so as they might reign in their several countries, and establish their authority in such wise that it might not be taken from them.

Among these, Ptolomy and Antigonus were well enough already, if their ambition would have suffered them to see it.

Pitho and Seleucus lying far off, and being strong, had some good hope to encroach upon their neighbours. Against these, Peucestes and some others, with much ado, hardly made resistance, until such time as Eumenes came to them, who propounded to himself great matters, which he lived not to accomplish.

Olympias the old queen (as it is common with stepKALEGH, VOL. III.

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