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and Eumenes was beleaguered and kept garrison； having plenty of corn
and water and salt； but no other thing； either for food or delicacy；
yet with such as he had； he kept a cheerful table for his friends；
inviting them severally in their turns； and seasoning his
entertainment with a gentle and affable behaviour。 For he had a
pleasant countenance； and looked not like an old and practised
soldier； but was smooth and florid； and his shape as delicate as if
his limbs had been carved by art in the most accurate proportions。
He was not a great orator； but winning and persuasive； as may be
seen in his letters。
The greatest distress of the besieged was the narrowness of the
place they were in； their quarters being very confined； and the
whole place but two furlongs in compass； so that both they and their
horses fed without exercise。 Accordingly； not only to prevent the
listlessness of such inactive living； but to have them in condition to
fly if occasion required； he assigned a room one…and…twenty feet long；
the largest in all the fort； for the men to walk in； directing them to
begin their walk gently； and so gradually mend their pace。 And for the
horses； he tied them to the roof with great halters； fastening which
about their necks； with a pulley he gently raised them； till
standing upon the ground with their hinder feet； they just touched
it with the very ends of their forefeet。 In this posture the grooms
plied them with whips and shouts； provoking them to curvet and kick
out with their hind legs； struggling and stamping at the same time
to find support for their forefeet； and thus their whole body was
exercised； till they were all in a foam and sweat； excellent exercise；
whether for strength or speed； and then he gave them their corn
already coarsely ground； that they might sooner despatch and better
digest it。
The siege continuing long； Antigonus received advice that
Antipater was dead in Macedon； and that affairs were embroiled by
the differences of Cassander and Polysperchon； upon which he conceived
no mean hopes； purposing to make himself master of all； and； in
order to his design； thought to bring over Eumenes； that he might have
his advice and assistance。 He； therefore； sent Hieronymus to treat
with him； proposing a certain oath； which Eumenes first corrected； and
then referred himself to the Macedonians themselves that besieged him；
to be judged by them； which of the two forms was the most equitable。
Antigonus in the beginning of his had slightly mentioned the kings
as by way of ceremony； while all the sequel referred to himself alone；
but Eumenes changed the form of it to Olympias and the kings； and
proceeded to swear not to be true to Antigonus； only； but to them； and
have the same friends and enemies； not with Antigonus； but with
Olympias and the kings。 This form the Macedonians thinking the more
reasonable； swore Eumenes according to it； and raised the siege；
sending also to Antigonus that he should swear in the same form to
Eumenes。 Meantime； all the hostages of the Cappadocians Eumenes had in
Nora he returned； obtaining from their friends war…horses； beasts of
carriage； and tents in exchange。 And collecting again all the soldiers
who had dispersed at the time of his flight； and were now wandering
about the country； he got together a body of near a thousand horse；
and with them fled from Antigonus； whom he justly feared。 For he had
sent orders not only to have him blocked up and besieged again； but
had given a very sharp answer to the Macedonians for admitting
Eumenes's amendment of the oath。
While Eumenes was flying； he received letters from those in
Macedonia； who were jealous of Antigonus's greatness； from Olympias；
inviting him thither to take the charge and protection of
Alexander's infant son； whose person was in danger； and other
letters from Polysperchon and Philip the king； requiring him to make
war upon Antigonus； as general of the forces in Cappadocia； and
empowering him out of the treasure at Quinda to take five hundred
talents' compensation for his own losses； and to levy as much as he
thought necessary to carry on the war。 They wrote also to the same
effect to Antigenes and Teutamus； the chief officers of the
Argyraspids； who； on receiving these letters； treated Eumenes with a
show of respect and kindness； but it was apparent enough that they
were full of envy and emulation； disdaining to give place to him。
Their envy Eumenes moderated by refusing to accept the money； as if he
had not needed it； and their ambition and emulation； who were
neither able to govern nor willing to obey； he conquered by help of
superstition。 For he told them that Alexander had appeared to him in a
dream； and showed him a regal pavilion richly furnished； with a throne
in it； and told him if they would sit in council there； he himself
would be present； and prosper all the consultations and actions upon
which they should enter in his name。 Antigenes and Teutamus were
easily prevailed upon to believe this； being as little willing to come
and consult Eumenes as he himself was to be seen waiting at other
men's doors。 Accordingly； they erected a tent royal； and a throne；
called Alexander's； and there they met to consult upon all affairs
of moment。
Afterwards they advanced into the interior of Asia； and in their
march met with Peucestes； who was friendly to them and with the
other satraps； who joined forces with them； and greatly encouraged the
Macedonians with the number and appearance of their men。 But they
themselves； having since Alexander's decease become imperious and
ungoverned in their tempers； and luxurious in their daily habits；
imagining themselves great princes； and pampered in their conceit by
the flattery of the barbarians； when all these conflicting pretensions
now came together； were soon found to be exacting and quarrelsome
one with another； while all alike unmeasurably flattered the
Macedonians； giving them money for revels and sacrifices； till in a
short time they brought the camp to be a dissolute place of
entertainment； and the army a mere multitude of voters； canvassed as
in a democracy for the election of this or that commander。 Eumenes；
perceiving they despised one another； and all of them feared him；
and sought an opportunity to kill him； pretended to be in want of
money； and borrowed many talents； of those especially who most hated
him； to make them at once confide in him and forbear all violence to
him for fear of losing their own money。 Thus his enemies' estates were
the guard of his person； and by receiving money he purchased safety；
for which it is more common to give it。
The Macedonians； also； while there was no show of danger； allowed
themselves to be corrupted； and made all their court to those who gave
them presents； who had their body…guards； and affected to appear
generals…in…chief。 But when Antigonus came upon them with a great
army； and their affairs themselves seemed to call out for a true
general； then not only the common soldiers cast their eyes upon
Eumenes； but these men； who had appeared so great in a peaceful time
of ease； submitted all of them to him； and quietly posted themselves
severally as he appointed them。 And when Antigonus attempted to pass
the river Pasitigris； all the rest that were appointed to guard the
passes were not so much as aware of his march； only Eumenes met and
encountered him； slew many of his men； and filled the river with the
dead； and took four thousand prisoners。 But it was most particularly
when Eumenes was sick that the Macedonians let it be seen how in their
judgment； while others could feast them handsomely and make
entertainments； he alone knew how to fight and lead an army。 For
Peucestes； having made a splendid entertainment in Persia； and given
each of the soldiers a sheep to sacrifice with； made himself sure of
being commander…in…chief。 Some few days after the army was to march；
and Eumenes having been dangerously ill was carried in a litter
apart from the body of the army； that any rest he got might not be
disturbed。 But when they were a little advanced； unexpectedly they had
a view of the enemy； who had passed the hills that lay betw