a native of Cardia, a city in the Thracian Chersonesus, was born B.C. 360 and died in 315. At a very early age he was employed as private secretary by Philip king of Macedon, and on the death of that prince he was confirmed in office by Alexander. It was in this capacity that he accompanied that monarch into Asia; and so highly did Alexander esteem him that he gave him for wife Artotis the daughter of Artabazus. Upon the death of Alexander, the provinces and armies were divided amongst his generals, and the countries assigned to Eumenes were Cappadocia and Paphlagonia, with the sea-coast of Pontus as far as Trapezus; but as they were not yet subdued, Leonatus and Antigonus engaged to put him in possession. Antigonus, however, disregarded the orders of Perdiccas; and Leonatus, having in vain attempted to induce Eumenes to accompany him to the assistance of Antipater in Europe, made an unsuccessful attack on his life. Eumenes, however, escaped his vengeance and joined Perdiccas, who assisted him in taking possession of Cappadocia.

About this time Craterus and Antipater, having reduced Greece, determined to pass into Asia and overthrow the power of Perdiccas. The first blow was aimed at Cappadocia; and in the emergency Eumenes was appointed commander of all the forces in the neighbouring countries. But Eumenes to this Neoptolemus, one of the generals, refused to submit; and being defeated by Eumenes, he fled to Antipater and Craterus. The presence of Antipater was required in Cilicia, and the army destined to act against Eumenes was therefore commanded by Craterus and Neoptolemus. They were, however, completely defeated; Neoptolemus was killed, and Craterus died of his wounds, 321 B.C. The Macedonians receiving intelligence of the defeat of two of their generals by one whom they considered a stranger, only a few days after the death of Perdiccas, the Macedonian chiefs condemned Eumenes to death, and charged Antipater and Antigonus with the execution of their order. Eumenes was at first successful, but being defeated through the treachery of one of his officers, he fled to Nora, a strong fortress on the confines of Cappadocia and Lycaonia. Here he made a successful resistance, and was afterwards appointed by Olympias to command the army against Antigonus, whose intentions could no longer be misunderstood. He gained a battle against his adversary, but unfortunately lost the baggage and women belonging to his Macedonian phalanx. Antigonus offered to restore them on condition that the soldiers would surrender Eumenes into his hands; and having induced them to comply with the base proposal, he put him to death, in the fortieth year of his age. (Plutarch, Life of Eumenes; Nepos; Diodor. Sic. xviii. 30.) See MACEDONIA, and PONTUS.

EUMENES I. and II., the names of two kings of Pergamus. See PERGAMUS.