Plutarch on the siege of Nora

After the death of Alexander the Great on June 11, 323, Perdiccas was appointed as regent for Alexander's half-witted brother Philip Arridaeus and his baby son Alexander. Soon, Perdiccas lost control of the empire, and he had to fight a civil war against rebel officers like Ptolemy, Antipater, and Craterus.

Perdiccas' most important ally was Eumenes of Cardia, who defeated Craterus. However, Perdiccas himself was assassinated and Antipater divided the empire again (settlement of Triparadisus, 320; text). He made Antigonus Monophthalmus supreme commander in Asia, and ordered him to fight against Eumenes.

The story is told by Plutarch of Chaeronea in his Life of Eumenes 10-12. The anonymous translation belongs to the Dryden series.

Chapter
10
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12
Section
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2
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4

The siege of Nora

[10.1] From this time Eumenes, daily flying and wandering about, persuaded many of his men to disband, whether out of kindness to them, or unwillingness to lead about such a body of men as were too few to engage and too many to fly undiscovered.

Taking refuge at Nora, a place on the confines of Lycaonia and Cappadocia note with 500 horse and 200 heavy-armed foot, he again dismissed as many of his friends as desired it, through fear of the probable hardships to be encountered there, and, embracing them with all demonstrations of kindness, gave them permission to depart.

[10.2] Antigonus, when he came before this fort, desired to have an interview with Eumenes before the siege; but he returned answer that Antigonus had many friends who might command in his place; but they whom Eumenes defended had nobody to substitute if he should miscarry; therefore, if Antigonus thought it worth while to treat with him, he should first send him hostages. And when Antigonus required that Eumenes should first address himself to him as his superior, he replied, "While I am able to wield a sword, I shall think no man greater than myself."

[10.3] At last, when, according to Eumenes' demand, Antigonus sent his own nephew Ptolemy to the fort, Eumenes went out to him, and they mutually embraced with great tenderness and friendship, as having formerly been very intimate. After a long conversation (in which Eumenes made no mention of his own pardon and security but required that he should be confirmed in his territories and restitution should be made him of the rewards of his service) all that were present were astonished at his courage and gallantry.

[10.4] Many of the Macedonians flocked to see what sort of person Eumenes was, for since the death of Craterus no man had been so much talked of in the army. But Antigonus, being afraid lest he might suffer some violence, first commanded the soldiers to keep off, calling out and throwing stones at those who pressed forwards. At last, taking Eumenes in his arms, and keeping off the crowd with his guards, not without great difficulty, he returned him safe into the fort.