ARGYRASPIDS, "silver shields" a corps of Macedonian shield-bearers (hypaspists) which, after the death of Alexander, and still more after the death of Antipater (319) played an im portant part, under their general Antigenes, in the division of the empire. They consisted of ,;,000 veterans. They were the sole body of Macedonian troops which had kept together as a unit, and they were in charge of the huge royal treasure at Cyinda. Popular opinion regarded them as invincible ; their adhesion to Eumenes for two years was the basis of his power. In 317, in his war with Antigonus, they were for long his chief support, but after a defeat at Gabiene, they mutinied and handed Eumenes over to Antigonus, who executed him and burnt Antigenes alive. Antigonus then broke up the corps and distributed it among the forces of various frontier satraps.