The Anabasis of Alexander or, The history of the wars and conquests of Alexander the Great
Porus had made here with that express design. But as he was superior
in the number of his cavalry, he took the greater part of that force,
and marched along against the left wing of the enemy for the purpose
of making an attack in this direction. Against the right wing he sent
Coenus with his own regiment of cavalry and that of Demetrius, with
instructions to keep close behind the barbarians when they, seeing the
dense mass of cavalry opposed to them, should ride out to fight them.
Seleucus, Antigenes, and Tauron were ordered to lead the phalanx of
infantry, but not to engage in the action until they observed[685]
the enemy’s cavalry and phalanx of infantry thrown into disorder by
the cavalry under his own command. But when they came within range of
missiles, he launched the horse-archers, 1000 in number, against the
left wing of the Indians, in order to throw those of the enemy who were
posted there into confusion by the incessant storm of arrows and by the
charge of the horses. He himself with the Companion cavalry marched
along rapidly against the left wing of the barbarians, being eager to
attack them in flank while still in a state of disorder, before their
cavalry could be deployed.
CHAPTER XVII.
DEFEAT OF PORUS.
Meantime the Indians had collected their cavalry from all parts, and
were riding along, advancing out of their position to meet Alexander’s
charge. Coenus also appeared with his men in their rear, according
to his instructions. The Indians, observing this, were compelled to
make the line of their cavalry face both ways[686]; the largest and
best part against Alexander, while the rest wheeled round against
Coenus and his forces. This therefore at once threw the ranks as well
as the decisions of the Indians into confusion. Alexander, seeing
his opportunity, at the very moment the cavalry was wheeling round in
the other direction, made an attack on those opposed to him with such
vigour that the Indians could not sustain the charge of his cavalry,
but were scattered and driven to the elephants, as to a friendly wall,
for refuge. Upon this, the drivers of the elephants urged forward
the beasts against the cavalry; but now the phalanx itself of the
Macedonians was advancing against the elephants, the men casting darts
at the riders and also striking the beasts themselves, standing round
them on all sides. The action was unlike any of the previous contests;
for wherever the beasts could wheel round, they rushed forth against
the ranks of infantry and demolished the phalanx of the Macedonians,
dense as it was. The Indian cavalry also, seeing that the infantry
were engaged in the action, rallied again and advanced against the
Macedonian cavalry. But when Alexander’s men, who far excelled both in
strength and military discipline, got the mastery over them the second
time, they were again repulsed towards the elephants and cooped up
among them. By this time the whole of Alexander’s cavalry had collected
into one squadron, not by any command of his, but having settled
into this arrangement by the mere effect of the struggle itself; and
wherever it fell upon the ranks of the Indians they were broken up
with great slaughter. The beasts being now cooped up into a narrow
space, their friends were no less injured by them than their foes,
being trampled down in their wheeling and pushing about. Accordingly
there ensued a great slaughter of the cavalry, cooped up as it was in a
narrow space around the elephants. Most of the keepers of the elephants
had been killed by the javelins, and some of the elephants themselves
had been wounded, while others no longer kept apart in the battle on
account of their sufferings or from being destitute of keepers. But,
as if frantic with pain, rushing forward at friends and foes alike,
they pushed about, trampled down and killed them in every kind of way.
However, the Macedonians retired whenever they were assailed, for they
rushed at the beasts in a more open space, and in accordance with their
own plan; and when they wheeled round to return, they followed them
closely and hurled javelins at them; whereas the Indians retreating
among them were now receiving greater injury from them. But when the
beasts were tired out, and they were no longer able to charge with any
vigour, they began to retire, facing the foe like ships backing water,
merely uttering a shrill piping sound. Alexander himself surrounded
the whole line with his cavalry, and gave the signal that the infantry
should link their shields together so as to form a very densely closed
body, and thus advance in phalanx. By this means the Indian cavalry,
with the exception of a few men, was quite cut up in the action; as was
also the infantry, since the Macedonians were now pressing upon them
from all sides. Upon this, all who could do so turned to flight through
the spaces which intervened between the parts of Alexander’s cavalry.
CHAPTER XVIII.
LOSSES OF THE COMBATANTS.—PORUS SURRENDERS.
At the same time Craterus and the other officers of Alexander’s army
who had been left behind on the bank of the Hydaspes crossed the
river, when they perceived that Alexander was winning a brilliant
victory. These men, being fresh, followed up the pursuit instead
of Alexander’s exhausted troops, and made no less a slaughter of
the Indians in their retreat. Of the Indians little short of 20,000
infantry and 3,000 cavalry were killed in this battle.[687] All their
chariots were broken to pieces; and two sons of Porus were slain, as
were also Spitaces, the governor of the Indians of that district, the
managers of the elephants and of the chariots, and all the cavalry
officers and generals of Porus’s army. All the elephants which were
not killed there, were captured. Of Alexander’s forces, about 80 of
the 6,000 foot-soldiers who were engaged in the first attack, were
killed; 10 of the horse-archers, who were also the first to engage in
the action; about 20 of the Companion cavalry, and about 200 of the
other horsemen fell.[688] When Porus, who exhibited great talent in
the battle, performing the deeds not only of a general but also of a
valiant soldier, observed the slaughter of his cavalry, and some of his
elephants lying dead, others destitute of keepers straying about in a
forlorn condition, while most of his infantry had perished, he did not
depart as Darius the Great King did, setting an example of flight to
his men; but as long as any body of Indians remained compact in the
battle, he kept up the struggle. But at last, having received a wound
on the right shoulder, which part of his body alone was unprotected
during the battle, he wheeled round. His coat of mail warded off the
missiles from the rest of his body, being extraordinary both for its
strength and the close fitting of its joints, as it was afterwards
possible for those who saw him to observe. Then indeed he turned his
elephant round and began to retire. Alexander, having seen that he was
a great man and valiant in the battle, was very desirous of saving his
life. He accordingly sent first to him Taxiles the Indian; who rode
up as near to the elephant which was carrying Porus as seemed to him
safe, and bade him stop the beast, assuring him that it was no longer
possible for him to flee, and bidding him listen to Alexander’s
message. But when he saw his old foe Taxiles, he wheeled round and was
preparing to strike him with a javelin; and he would probably have
killed him, if he had not quickly driven his horse forward out of
the reach of Porus before he could strike him. But not even on this
account was Alexander angry with Porus; but he kept on sending others
in succession; and last of all Meroës an Indian, because he ascertained
that he was an old friend of Porus. As soon as the latter heard the
message brought to him by Meroës, being at the same time overcome by
thirst, he stopped his elephant and dismounted from it. After he had
drunk some water and felt refreshed, he ordered Meroës to lead him
without delay to Alexander; and Meroës led him thither.[689]
CHAPTER XIX.
ALLIANCE WITH PORUS.—DEATH OF BUCEPHALAS.
When Alexander heard that Meroës was bringing Porus to him, he rode
in front of the line with a few of the Companions to meet Porus;
and stopping his horse, he admired his handsome figure and his
stature,[690] which reached somewhat above five cubits. He was also
surprised that he did not seem to be cowed in spirit,[691] but advanced
to meet him as one brave man would meet another brave man, after having
gallantly struggled in defence of his own kingdom against another king.
Then indeed Alexander was the first to speak, bidding him say what
treatment he would like to receive. The report goes that Porus replied:
“Treat me, O Alexander, in a kingly way!” Alexander being pleased at
the expression, said: “For my own sake, O Porus, thou shalt be thus
treated; but for thy own sake do thou demand what is pleasing to thee!”
But Porus said that everything was included in that. Alexander, being
still more pleased at this remark, not only granted him the rule over
his own Indians, but also added another country to that which he had
before, of larger extent than the former.[692] Thus he treated the
brave man in a kingly way, and from that time found him faithful in
all things. Such was the result of Alexander’s battle with Porus and
the Indians living beyond the river Hydaspes, which was fought in the
archonship of Hegemon at Athens, in the month Munychion[693] (18 April
to 18 May, 326 B.C.).
Alexander founded two cities, one where the battle took place, and the
other on the spot whence he started to cross the river Hydaspes; the
former he named Nicaea,[694] after his victory over the Indians, and
the latter Bucephala in memory of his horse Bucephalas, which died
there, not from having been wounded by any one, but from the effects of
toil and old age; for he was about thirty years old, and quite worn out
with toil.[695] This Bucephalas had shared many hardships and incurred
many dangers with Alexander during many years, being ridden by none but
the king, because he rejected all other riders. He was both of unusual
size and generous in mettle. The head of an ox had been engraved upon
him as a distinguishing mark, and according to some this was the reason
why he bore that name; but others say, that though he was black he had
a white mark upon his head which bore a great resemblance to the head
of an ox. In the land of the Uxians this horse vanished from Alexander,
who thereupon sent a proclamation throughout the country that he would
kill all the inhabitants, unless they brought the horse back to him. As
a result of this proclamation it was immediately brought back. So great
was Alexander’s attachment to the horse, and so great was the fear of
Alexander entertained by the barbarians.[696] Let so much honour be
paid by me to this Bucephalas for the sake of his master.
CHAPTER XX.
CONQUEST OF THE GLAUSIANS.—EMBASSY FROM ABISARES.—PASSAGE OF THE
ACESINES.
When Alexander had paid all due honours to those who had been killed
in the battle, he offered the customary sacrifices to the gods in
gratitude for his victory, and celebrated a gymnastic and horse
contest upon the bank of the Hydaspes at the place where he first
crossed with his army.[697] He then left Craterus behind with a part
of the army, to erect and fortify the cities which he was founding
there; but he himself marched against the Indians conterminous with
the dominion of Porus. According to Aristobulus the name of this
nation was Glauganicians; but Ptolemy calls them Glausians. I am quite
indifferent which name it bore. Alexander traversed their land with
half the Companion cavalry, the picked men from each phalanx of the