Eudemus was one of Alexander the Great's generals. In 326 BC he was appointed by the king as the commander of Alexander's troops in India. After Alexander's death, Eudemus effectively controlled Alexander's northern Indian territories until he became involved in the Seleucid-Mauryan war during which he was killed by the son of King Porus, Malayketu.
Biography
In 326 BC Eudemus was appointed by Alexander the Great to the command of the troops left in India, after the murder of the Alexander-appointed satrap Philip by his own mercenary troops in 326 BC. Alexander dispatched letters to India to Eudamus and also to Taxilas telling them to take charge of the district formerly under Philip, until Alexander could send a satrap to govern the district. After Alexander's death in 323 BC, Eudemus made himself master of the territories of the Indian king Porus and, according to Diodorus Siculus. As a result, Eudemus became very powerful and in 317 BC he was able to support Eumenes of Cardia in his war againstAntigonus by providing a force of 500 horsemen, 300 footmen, and 120 elephants. Eudemus and his troops sawactive service in the first Battle of Gabiene, although his troops suffered considerably from an attack by Antigonus: Ceteus, the general of Eudemus' Indian troops, died in the action. It seems nevertheless that Eudemus was jealous of Eumenes and joined in the conspiracy of Antigenes and Teutamus against him. As a result, Eumenes was betrayed to Antigonus by these officers under his command. Eumenes lost control of his army's baggage camp which included all the loot of the most decorated Macedonian veterans. This treasure had been accumulated over 30 years of successful warfare. Antigonus responded to a request for the return of thebaggage train sent by Teutamus, one of their commanders, by demanding they give him Eumenes. The Silver Shields agreed to this. Following the surrender of Eumenes, Eudemus was put to death by order of Antigonus, to whom Eudemus had always shown a marked hostility:
