Perdiccas (general)

Perdiccas (Greek: Περδίκκας; died 321 BC) was a commander under Eumenes in the war against Antigonus in 321 BC. He was preparing to desert to the enemy when Eumenes became apprised of his project and sent Phoenix of Tenedos against him, who surprised his camp in the night, took him prisoner and brought him before Eumenes, who had him put to death.[1]

Notes

1. Diodorus Siculus, Bibliotheca, xviii. 40; Antigonus, who had been designated general of Asia for the purpose of finishing the war with Eumenes, collected his troops from their winter quarters.30 After making preparations for the battle, he set out against Eumenes, who was still in Cappadocia. Now one of Eumenes' distinguished commanders named Perdiccas had deserted him and was encamped at a distance of three days' march with the soldiers who had joined him in the mutiny, three thousand infantry and five hundred cavalry. Eumenes, accordingly, sent against him Phoenix of Tenedos with four thousand picked foot-soldiers and a thousand horsemen. After a forced night march Phoenix fell unexpectedly on the deserters at about the second watch of the night, and catching them asleep, took Perdiccas alive and secured control of his troops. Eumenes put to death the leaders who had been most responsible for the desertion, but by distributing the common soldiers among the other troops and treating them with kindness, he secured them as loyal supporters.

References

• Smith, William (editor); Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, "Perdiccas (2)", Boston, (1867)
•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. Missing or empty |title= (help)