Eumenes

Eumenes is a Greek given name that appears in the names of several prominent ancient figures.

Eumenes of Cardia (c. 360–316 BCE) was a Greek general and administrator who served under Alexander the Great. He was noted for his organizational abilities and held a high-ranking position in the campaigns in Asia. After Alexander’s death, Eumenes played a leading role in the early Wars of the Diadochi, aligning with different factions as the empire fractured. He was ultimately defeated and killed after being captured in 316 BCE at the Battle of Gabiene.

Eumenes I of Pergamon (fl. c. 263–241 BCE) was the founder of the Attalid dynasty in Pergamon. As ruler, he established Pergamon as a regional power in western Asia Minor and laid foundations for its later expansion. His administration helped consolidate independence from rival Hellenistic powers and prepared the way for his successors to develop Pergamon’s cultural and political prominence.

Eumenes II of Pergamon (reigned c. 197–159 BCE) was a king of Pergamon and a key figure in the Attalid dynasty after Eumenes I. He continued territorial expansion, strengthened the kingdom’s defenses, and maintained an alignment with Rome that influenced broader regional diplomacy. His reign is associated with continued cultural patronage and prestige for Pergamon within the Hellenistic world.

In summary, the name Eumenes links several ancient figures, including a notable general of Alexander’s era and two rulers of Pergamon who helped establish and extend the Attalid kingdom.