What if Eumenes remained true to Antigonus?

[Tibi088]

So Eumenes besieged in Nora made a deal with Antigonus after the death of Antipater. OTL he betrayed Antoginus and allied with Polyperchon shortly after. A very stupid move but understandable as he was a royalist.

What if he instead remained true to Antigonus? He was a really good general and because he was not macedonian there was no chance for him making a bid for power in his own right - this makes him unique among the Diadochi.

Lets also suppose that Antigonus doesnt have him killed in the near future.

With him on his side Antigous avoids a lot of trouble in the east and gains maybe the best general available. With his resources would that be enough to reunite the empire?

 

[formion]

I believe so. The willy Cardian was an excellent general. At least in Asia Antigonus would reign supreme. If he can crush Ptolemy - always difficult to invade Egypt, then Macedon would fall sooner or later.

However what kind of empire would it be? Antigonus never cared particularly for the Upper Satrapies.

 

[Tibi088]

I believe so. The willy Cardian was an excellent general. At least in Asia Antigonus would reign supreme. If he can crush Ptolemy - always difficult to invade Egypt, then Macedon would fall sooner or later.

However what kind of empire would it be? Antigonus never cared particularly for the Upper Satrapies.

Thats more up to Demetrius IMO as Antigonus was getting pretty old and with his style of life I dont think he woud have lived much longer than OTL even if he had a natural death.

Regarding the wars: wouldnt it be easier to go for Macedon first while defending against Egypt? That could also be interesting because a success there could place Alexander IV in the hands of Antigonus. POD was before his asassination and Cassander might have other problems if his hand is full fighting of Antigonus.

 

[GauchoBadger]

Antigonus never cared particularly for the Upper Satrapies.

Upper Satrapies?

 

[Kome]

Antigonus was a top-tier general, his main problems was that his bench of subordinate officers were undistinguished and couldn't be delegated to. Demetrius was a good organizer and sea commander, but his lack of military education in land battles showed when up against Alexander's veterans.

All Eumenes really needs to do is tell Antigonus that Seleucus is going to drop 300 elephants onto the battlefield like an absolute madman.

But pulling in Eumenes at this point also gives Antigonus the treasury in Asia (before Eumenes has the chance to spend it all) and the Silvershields (without ever fighting them). All he needs to do is tell the Silvershields he's bringing them home and they'll be cheering One-Eye all the way back to Macedonia.

Upper Satrapies?

Persia essentially.

 

[formion]

But what Eumenes could aspire to get from Antigonus?

I agree also that the argyraspides and the treasury would be a huge boon, the argyraspides more due to their awe inspiring fame.

 

[Atamolos]

But what Eumenes could aspire to get from Antigonus?

I agree also that the argyraspides and the treasury would be a huge boon, the argyraspides more due to their awe inspiring fame.

True, didn't Antigonus disband them after his victory over Eumenes? If they were that big of an asset, then that would have been suicide. Their importance is probably overhyped, especially since they betrayed and turned Eumenes over to Antigonus IIRC

 

[SlyDessertFox]

A very stupid move but understandable as he was a royalist.

It was a smart move, all things considered. Antigonus would never trust Eumenes with much power, and in any case Eumenes bested him in battle at every encounter-had he not been betrayed, Antigonus would have been in a dangeeously precarious position.

True, didn't Antigonus disband them after his victory over Eumenes? If they were that big of an asset, then that would have been suicide. Their importance is probably overhyped, especially since they betrayed and turned Eumenes over to Antigonus IIRC

He disbanded them because they couldn't be trusted. They just nearly singlehandedly defeated his army in battle twice, and then betrayed their commander once their personal possessions we're in danger. They were a loose cannon, and he had absolutely no reason to trust Antigenes. They were also all older, so, like, their days were numbered.

But their military importance-the fact that they were, without a doubt, the most effective phalangites on the battlefield during this era cannot be overstated.



As far as Eumenes himself, Antigonus is almost certainly never going to trust Eumenes with a large scale independent campaign, first because his military accomplishments up to this point are minimal and second because he cannot be sure of his loyalties. He might have use for him if he ever turns towards a more loyalist direction like he did for a time IOTL-Eumenes was friends with Olympia's, for instance. But Eumenes as well will likely just be biding his time-he was loyal to the Argead line both for personal reasons and for legitimate realpolitique reasons.