Eumenes (
yū'mĭnēz), c.361-316 B.C., secretary to Philip II of Macedon and to Alexander the Great. A Thracian Greek, he was capable, diplomatic, and eloquent and proved himself able as a general as well as a secretary. After Alexander's death he was given control of Cappadocia and Paphlagonia. In the wars of the
Diadochi he threw in his lot with
Perdiccas and thus was opposed by
Antipater,
Antigonus I,
Ptolemy I, and Craterus. However, the death of Perdiccas (321 B.C.) deprived Eumenes of all dependable support. He was defeated in 316 B.C. by Antigonus, deserted by his troops, and killed.