ANTIGONUS I

ANTIGONUS I. one of the captains of Alexander the Great, was the son of Philip a Macedonian nobleman. After Alexander's death, a division of the provinces taking place, Pamphylia, Lycia, and Phrygia Major fell to his share. But Perdiccas, well acquainted with his ambitious spirit, and great abilities, determined to divest him of his government, and laid plans for his life, by bringing various accusations against him. Antigonus, aware of the danger, retired with his son Demetrius into Greece, where he obtained the favour and protection of Antipater; and in a short time Perdiccas dying, a new division taking place, he was invested not only with the government of the former provinces, but also with that of Lycaonia. He was likewise entrusted with the command of the Macedonian household troops, and upon Eumenes being declared a public enemy, he received orders to prosecute the war against him with the utmost vigour. On the commencement of this war, Eumenes suffered a total overthrow, and was obliged to retire with only 600 brave followers to a castle situated on an inaccessible rock, where he might rest in safety from all the assaults of Antigonus. In the interval, his friends assembling a new army for his relief, were routed by Antigonus, who now began to exhibit the great projects of his ambition. Polysperchon succeeding to the tutorship of the young king of Macedon after Antipater's death, Antigonus resolved to set himself up as lord of all Asia. On account of the great power of Eumenes, he greatly desired to gain him over to his interest, but that faithful commander effecting his escape from the fortress where he was closely blockaded, raised an army, and was appointed the royal general in Asia. The governors of Upper Asia cooperating with him, he succeeded in several engagements against Antigonus, but was at last delivered up to him through treachery, and put to death. Upon this, the governors of Upper Asia yielded to Antigonus. Those whom he suspected, he either sacrificed to his resentment or displaced them from their offices. Then seizing upon all the treasures at Susa, he directed his march towards Babylon, of which city Seleucus was governor. Seleucus fled to Ptolemy, and entered into a league with him, together with Lysimachus and Cassander, with the intention of giving a check to the exorbitant power of Antigonus, who, notwithstanding this, made a successful attempt upon the provinces of Syria and Phoenicia. Yet these provinces were soon after recovered by Ptolemy, who defeated his son Demetrius, while he himself was employed in repelling Cassander, who had made rapid progress in Lesser Asia. They were again taken by Antigonus, and he being flushed with his success, planned an expedition against the Nabataean Arabs, dwelling in the deserts adjacent to Judea; but on the first enterprise against the town of Petra, his general Athenæus, with almost all his troops, was cut to pieces by the Arabs. Antigonus then sent his son against them, who returned after forcing them to reasonable terms. Demetrius then

Antigonus, then expelled Seleucus from Babylon, and success attending his arms wherever he went, the confederates were obliged to make a treaty with Antigonus, in which it was stipulated, that he should remain in possession of all Asia, but that the Greek cities should continue in possession of their liberty. This agreement was soon violated, under the pretence that garrisons had been placed in some of these cities by Antigonus. At first Ptolemy made a successful descent in Lesser Asia and on several of the islands of the Archipelago; but he was at length defeated by the successful arms of Demetrius in a sea-fight, who also took the island of Cyprus, with many prisoners. On this victory Antigonus was so elated that he assumed the title of king, and bestowed the same upon his son; and from that time, B. C. 306, his reign in Asia, and that of Ptolemy in Egypt, and of the other captains of Alexander in their respective governments, properly commence.

Irritated at the hostile conduct of Ptolemy, Antigonus prepared a numerous army and a formidable fleet, and having taken the command of the army, he gave the command of the fleet to Demetrius, and hastened to attack him in his own dominions. After enduring the severest hardships, they met in the vicinity of Mount Cassius; but Ptolemy acted with such valour and address that Demetrius could gain no advantage over him; and after several fruitless attempts, he abandoned the undertaking. He next attempted the reduction of Rhodes, but meeting with obstinate resistance, he was obliged to make a treaty upon the best terms that he could, having been called to join Antigonus against Cassander, who at this time had formed a confederacy with Seleucus and Lyfimachus. When Demetrius united his forces with those of Antigonus, they advanced to Phrygia, and having met the enemy at Ipsus, a decisive battle was fought, in which Antigonus fell, in the 84th year of his age, B. C. 301.

Ardent in his passions, Antigonus frequently used improper means for their gratification; but as a soldier he was sagacious, active, brave, and fortunate. An insatiable ambition, however, the general passion of great men, proved a strong stimulus to all his actions; but with these blemishes better qualities were blended in his character. The violence and temerity of youth were tempered by the clemency and moderation of advanced life, and he endeavoured to conciliate the affections of those whom force had subjected to his power. In matters of private concern he was strictly just; for when his brother wished him to listen to a cause in private where he was concerned, he exclaimed, "No, my dear brother, I will hear it in the open court of justice, because I mean to do justice." When flattered with the title of god, he replied, "My chamberlain well knows the contrary;" and similar philosophical sentiments would frequently drop from his lips. He apologized for the rigour of his taxes by saying, "Alexander reaped Asia, but I only glean it." He shone with peculiar lustre in domestic retirement. Notwithstanding the strong ambition of his son Demetrius, he continued in perfect harmony both with him and all his family. The son had a full share of the authority of the father; and one day saluting his son upon his return from hunting in the presence of some ambassadors, he desired them to tell their masters upon what terms he lived with his son. (Gen. Biog.)