A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

5. A Macedonian officer of distinction, who, in the division of the provinces at Triparadeisus, after the death of Perdiccas (B. C. 321), obtained the important government of Cappadocia. (Arrian, ap. Phot. p. 72a.; Diod. 18.39; App. Mith. 8.) He attached himself to the party of Antigonus, whom he accompanied in the war against Eumenes, and when, after the second battle in Gabiene, the mutinous Argyraspids consented to surrender their general into the hands of Antigonus [EUMENES], it was Nicanor who was selected to receive their prisoner from them. (Plut. Einn. 17.) After the defeat of Pithon and his associates, B. C. 316, Nicanor was appointed by Antigonus, governor of Media and the adjoining provinces, commonly termed the upper satrapies, which he continued to hold until the year 312, when Seleucus made himself master of Babylon. Thereupon Nicanor assembled a large force and marched against the invader, but was surprised and defeated by Seleucus at the passage of the Tigris, and his troops were either cut to pieces or went over to the enemy. According to Diodorus, he himself escaped the slaughter, and fled for safety to the desert, from whence he wrote to Antigonums for assistance. Appian, on the contrary, represents him as killed in the battle. It is certain, at least, that we hear no more of him. (Diod. 19.92, 100; Appian, App. Syr. 55.)