Diodorus Siculus

BOOK XVIII - The Library of History



Page 595 Afterwards, Antipater, when he was very near his End, appointed Polysperchon, the Eldest almost of all Alexander's Captains, and one in great Honour and Reputation with the Macedonians, to be Protector of the Kings, with chief and absolute Authority. And his Son Cassander he created Chiliarch, next in Power and Authority to Polysperchon. This Office was first made a Place of Honour and Credit by the Persian Kings, and afterwards by Alexander, when he grew great, and began to imitate this and other the Customs of the Persians. But Cassander relish'd not his Father's ordering of Matters, and judg'd it very dishonourable to his Family to have one that was nothing related, either in Blood or Affinity, to succeed in the Sovereign Command, when there was a Son who in Macedonia gave apparent and pregnant Evidences, both of Valour and Parts, sufficient to Govern the Affairs of the State in the room of his Father.

In the first place therefore he took a Journey into the Country with some of his Friends, where having both leisure and opportunity, he discours'd with them about the Chief Command, and dealt with every one of them privately apart by themselves, to contrive Ways and Means for him to gain the Principality, and by large Promises prevail'd with them to join together in their Assistance, for the accomplishment of what he desir'd. He likewise privately sent Ambassadors to Ptolemy, to renew the League, and pray his Assistance; and that he would to that purpose help him with Shipping out of Phaenicia, and send them with all speed to the Hellespont. In like manner he sent Ambassadors to the rest of the Cities and Captains, to sollicit them to join with them in Arms. But the better to conceal his Design, and that he might not be suspected, he spent his time for many days together in Hunting.

But Polyspherchon having gain'd the Guardianship of the Kings, call'd together a General Council of his Friends, and by their advice sent for Olympias, wishing that she would take into her Care Alexander's Son, who was then but a Child, and reside for the future as Queen Regent in Macedonia: For by reason of the Quarrels and Heart-burnings between her and Antipater, she had withdrawn herself into Epirus.

When the Death of Antipater was nois'd abroad in Asia, Stirs and Commotions began to change the face of Affairs there, while they that were in Power and Authority made it their Business, and sought every one how to advance his own particular Interest. The chief of whom was Antigonus, who (upon the account of his having conquer'd Eumenes in Cappadocia, and was join'd with his Forces, and Alcetas and Attalus in Pisidia, and besides was appointed by Antipater Viceroy of Asia, and had the Command of a great Army) bore himself very high, and swell'd with Pride in the Imagination of his own Greatness. And being now possess'd already (in his own Conceit) of the Sovereignty, he resolv'd neither to regard the Kings nor their Guardians: For in regard he had a greater Army, he was confident he could possess himself of all the Treasures laid up in Asia, being there was none able to oppose him. He had then in his Army Threescore thousand Foot, and Ten thousand Horse, and Thirty Elephants. And besides these, he doubted not but to raise more, whenever he had occasion; for that there was Money enough in Asia for the listing of Soldiers abroad in any place where he pleas'd.

Pondering these things in his Head, he sent for Hieronymus the Historian, Eumenes the Cardian's special Friend and Fellow-Citizen (he who fled to Nora) and having brought him to him by many rich Gifts and Presents, he sent him as an Agent to Eumenes, with Instructions to desire him to forget the Battel in Cappadocia, and to be his Friend and Confederate in the War; and that he should have a far larger Province, and much more Wealth than ever he enjoy'd before: And to let him know, That he should be Chiefest of his Friends, and share with him in the Advantages and Successes of all his Designs.

Then without any further delay he call'd his Friends together, and imparted to them his whole Design; and to those who were of greatest account among them, to some he allotted Provinces, to others Commands in the Army; and by raising the Hopes and Expectations of every one of them, he made them all very forward to assist him in carrying on his Intrigues: For he determin'd to pass through all Asia, and to remove all the Governours of the Provinces, and bestow them upon his Friends.

While he was in execution of these Projects, Arrideus the Governour of Phrygia 〈◊〉 the Hellespont, understanding what he was contriving, resolv'd to secure his own Province, and to that end put sufficient Garisons into the principal Cities, and march'd against Cyzicum, being the greatest and most important City of all others for his purpose. He had with him above Ten thousand Foot of Mercenaries, a Thousand Macedonians. Five hundred Persian Darters and Slingers, and Eight hundred Horse, together with all sorts of Engines for Battery, both for shooting of Darts and casting of Stones, and all other things necessary for the carrying on of a Siege. He came upon the City on a sudden, and having surpriz'd most of the People when they were abroad in the open fields, he prest on


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