Battle of Paraitacene

Battle of Paraitacene

Infobox Military Conflict


caption=
colour_scheme=background:#ffff99
conflict=Battle of Paraitacene
partof=the Second War of the Diadochi
date=317 BC
place=Paraitacene (in modern Iran)
result=Indecisive
combatant1=Antigonus I Monophthalmus,
combatant2=Eumenes
commander1=Antigonus I Monophthalmus
commander2=Eumenes
strength1=28,000 heavy infantry, 6,900 light cavalry, 3,700 heavy cavalry, 65 war elephants
strength2=28,000 infantry, 6,000 cavalry, 6,000 mercenaries, 125 war elephants
casualties1=7,700, inc. 3,700 killed
casualties2=1,540, inc. 540 killed
The Battle of Paraitacene (317 BC) was a battle in the wars of the successors of Alexander the Great (see diadochi) between Antigonus I Monophthalmus and Eumenes.

Background

After the death of Alexander the Great, his generals immediately began squabbling over his huge empire. Soon it degenerated into open warfare, with each general attempting to claim a portion of Alexander's vast kingdom. One of the most talented successor generals (Diadochi) was Antigonus Monophthalmus, so called because of an eye he lost in a siege. During the early years of warfare between the Diadochi, he faced Eumenes, a capable general who had already crushed Craterus. The two Diadochi fought a series of battles across Anatolia and Persia.

In the summer of 317 BC Eumenes, trying to capitalize on an earlier victory, was on the move against Antigonus. The two armies came to face one another in the lands of the Paraetaceni, to the northeast of Susa.

Battle

Antigonus deployed his army obliquely, the right wing leading, in the same fashion used by Alexander and Philip. Antigonus deployed his light horse on the left, his heavy cavalry and light infantry were placed on the right flank resting on the hills. While his phalanx held the center. While the elephants were spread across the line.Eumenes, also placed his phalanx in the center, with the elite Argyraspides. His left flank, resting near the hill, was made up of cavalry, elephants and auxiliaries. The right flank was led by Eumenes himself with his heavy cavalry.

The battle began with Antigonus' light horse attacking Eumenes line. Eumenes dispersed this force with a flanking attack of his own light cavalry squadrons brought over from his left flank.

In the center, the phalanxes engaged, again to Eumenes’ advantage due to the incredible skill of the Argyraspides who, despite their age (60 to 70 years old), seemed invincible. With his light horse in ruins, and his phalanx being pushed back, the situation looked grave for Antigonus.

However, Antigonus observed that the very success of the Argyraspides had led them forward to reveal a gap in the battle line as it detached from their left flank. In a bold move Antigonus charged his heavy cavalry into this gap, wheeling to the rear of Eumenes' cavalry. The attack proved successful – ending what seemed to be the start of a Eumenes victory over another opponent. The battle slowed as both side tried to rally broken units. As the day ended, both armies retired to their camps. Antigonus claimed victory, even though he lost some 3,700 infantry to death, and a further 4,000 wounded. Eumenes came off with a loss of only 540 infantry killed and some 1,000 injured. Their next major confrontation would be the Battle of Gabiene.

External links

* [http://ccwf.cc.utexas.edu/~warfare/Lectures/lect14.html Lecture Notes for Week Fourteen]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Battle of Gabiene — Infobox Military Conflict caption= colour scheme=background:#ffff99 conflict=Battle of Gabiene partof=the Second War of the Diadochi date=Winter 316 BC place=Gabiene result=Antigonid victory commander1=Antigonus Monophthalmos commander2=Eumenes… …   Wikipedia

  • List of battles before 601 — List of battles: before 601 601 1400 1401 1800 1801 1900 1901 2000 2001 current See also: List of Roman battles Before 500 BC5th century BC4th century BC*398 BC Siege of Motya Phoenician city Motya sacked. *397 BC Battle of Messene Ionian Greek… …   Wikipedia

  • Military history of ancient Greece — The military history of ancient Greece is the history of the wars and battles of the Greek people in Greece, the Balkans and the Greek colonies in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea prior to 400 AD.Prehistoric and Ancient period* Trojan War… …   Wikipedia

  • Military of ancient Greece — This article is about the period prior to 400 AD. For the period from 400 AD onwards, see Military history of Greece. History of Greece Th …   Wikipedia

  • List of battles involving war elephants — Some notable battles involving war elephants include: *331 BC, Battle of Gaugamela *326 BC, Battle of the Hydaspes River *317 BC, Battle of Paraitacene *316 BC, Battle of Gabiene *312 BC, Battle of Gaza *301 BC, Battle of Ipsus *280 BC, Battle of …   Wikipedia

  • Antigonus I Monophthalmus — ( the One eyed ) (382 BC 301 BC) son of Philip from Elimeia, was a Macedonian nobleman, general, and satrap under Alexander the Great. He was a major figure in the Wars of the Diadochi after Alexander s death. He established the Antigonid dynasty …   Wikipedia

  • Eumenes — of Cardia (Greek: Ευμένης, ca. 362 BC 316 BC) was a Greek general and scholar. He, who was one of rare high rank Greek officers in the Macedonian army, participated in the wars of the Diadochi as a supporter of the Macedonian Argead royal house.… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”