1Thus Eumenes outwitted a cunning general and checked his speed, yet he did not gain much by it. 2For through the jealousy of the commanders with whom he was serving and the treachery of the Macedonian veterans, though he had come off victorious in battle, he was handed over to Antigonus, although the army had sworn to him three times before, on separate occasions, that they would defend him and never desert him. 2But so great was the disparagement of his merit among some that they preferred to break their faith rather than not destroy him. 3And Antigonus, though he had been his bitterest enemy, would have spared him if his own people had allowed it, because he understood that by no one could he be helped more in the troubles which, as was already plain, were hanging over everyone.
3For Seleucus, Lysimachus and Ptolemy were looming, already strong in resources, with whom he would have to fight for supremacy. 4But those around him did not allow it, because they saw that, if Eumenes were taken into favour, they would all be of little account beside him. 4Antigonus himself, moreover, was so. 4Inflamed that he could not be appeased except by a great hope of the greatest gains.