Eumenes
Eumenes of Cardia was scholar, a Greek not a Macedonian. He was both a friend and a scribe for Alexander the Great. After Alexander's death, Eumenes ended up in command of a large body of Macedonian and Greek soldiers fighting in support of Alexander's son, Alexander IV. This was early in the Wars of the Diadochi. His main enemy was Antingonus One-eyed. Eumenes and Antigonus fought a series of battles across Iraq and Iran. The Macedonians in his army were openly skeptical of Eumenes but his skills as a general were undeniable. However, he never commanded their full allegiance and died as a result.
According to Plutarch and Diodorus, Eumenes won a battle but lost control over his army's baggage camp. This baggage was all the loot which the Macedonian veterans (called The Silver Shields (Greek: Argyraspids)) had accumulated over 30 years of successful warfare. It was not only gold and gems but their women and children. Antigonus sent a message to the Silver Shields saying he would give back all their baggage if they gave him Eumenes. The Silver Shields handed over Eumenes. Antigonus, after some consideration, had his enemy executed.
Eumenes is a tragic figure, a man who seemingly tried to do the right thing but was overcome by a more ruthless enemy and the treachery of his own soldiers.
