A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

2. A native of Tenedos, who held a high rank in the army of Eumenes, B. C. 321. In the great battle fought by the latter against Craterus and Neoptolemus, the command of the left wing, which was opposed to Craterus, was entrusted to Phoenix and Pharnabazus, and composed principally of Asiatic troops; Eumnenes being apprehensive of opposing any Macedonians to a general so popular with his countrymen. As soon as they came in sight of the enemy the two commanders charged the army of Craterus, which was unable to withstand the shock, and the aged general himself perished in the confusion (Plut. Erum. 7). Shortly after we find Phoenix despatched by Eumenes with a select force against his revolted general Perdiccas, whom he surprised by a rapid night march, and tools him prisoner almost without opposition (Diod. 18.40). After the fall of Eumenes Phoenix appears to have entered the service of Antirgonus, but in B. C. 310 he was persuaded by Ptolemy (the nephew and general of the killg of Asia), to whom he was attached by the closest friendship, to join the latter in his defection from Antigonus. Phoenix at this time held the important command of the Hellespontine Phrygia, on which account Antigonus hastened to send an army against him under the command of his younger son Philippus (Id. 20.19). Thle result of the operations is not mentioned; but Phoenix seems to have been not

only pardoned by Antigonus, but received again into favour : and in the campaign which preceded the battle of Issus (B. C. 302), we find him holding the command of Sardis, which he was, however, induced to surrender to Prepelaus, the general of Lysimachus (Id. 20.107). This is the last time his name is mentioned.