The Invasion of India by Alexander the Great as described by Arrian, Q. Curtius, Diodoros, Plutarch and Justin
- Subtitle
- Being Translations of such portions of the Works of these and other Classical Authors as describe Alexander's Campaigns in Afghanistan, the Panjâb, Sindh, Gedrosia and Karmania
Read The Invasion of India by Alexander the Great as described by Arrian, Q. Curtius, Diodoros, Plutarch and Justin by John Watson McCrindle online. Browse the complete text, chapters and notes.
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1. Front matter2. ANCIENT INDIA ITS INVASION BY ALEXANDER THE GREAT3. PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION4. PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION5. INTRODUCTION6. INTRODUCTION7. INTRODUCTION (continued 2)8. ARRIAN9. Chapter XXII.—Alexander crosses the Indian Kaukasos to invade India and advances to the river Kôphên10. Chapter XXIII.—Alexander wars against the Aspasians11. Chapter XXIV.—Operations against the Aspasians12. Chapter XXV.—Defeat of the Aspasians—The Assakenians and Gouraians attacked13. Chapter XXVI.—Siege of Massaga14. Chapter XXVII.—Massaga taken by storm—Ora and Bazira besieged15. Chapter XXVIII.—Bazira captured—Alexander marches to the rock Aornos16. Chapter XXIX.—Siege of Aornos17. Chapter XXX.—Capture of Aornos—Advance to the Indus18. Chapter I.—Alexander at Nysa19. Chapter II.—Alexander permits the Nysaians to retain their Autonomy—Visits Mount Mêros20. Chapter III—How Eratosthenes views the legends concerning Heraklês and Dionysos—Alexander crosses the Indus21. Chapter IV.—General description of the Indus and of the people of India22. Chapter V.—The rivers and mountains of Asia23. Chapter VI.—Position and boundaries of India and how its plains may have been formed24. Chapter VII.—The bridging of rivers25. Chapter VIII.—Alexander arrives at Taxila—Receives an embassy from Abisares and advances to the Hydaspês26. Chapter IX.—Alexander on reaching the Hydaspês finds Pôros prepared to dispute its passage27. Chapter X.—Alexander’s devices to deceive Pôros and steal the passage of the river28. Chapter XI.—Arrangements made by Alexander for crossing the Hydaspês unobserved29. Chapter XII.—Alexander crosses the Hydaspês30. Chapter XIII.—Incidents of the passage of the river31. Chapter XIV.—Skirmish with the son of Pôros at the landing-place32. Chapter XV.—The arrangements made by Pôros for the conflict33. Chapter XVI.—The plan of attack adopted by Alexander34. Chapter XVII.—Description of the battle of the Hydaspês—Defeat of Pôros35. Chapter XVIII.—Sequel of the battle and surrender of Pôros36. Chapter XIX.—Alexander makes Pôros his firm friend and ally—Founds two cities—Death of his famous horse Boukephalas37. Chapter XX.—Alexander conquers the Glausai, receives embassies from Abisarês and other chiefs, and crosses the Akesinês38. Chapter XXI.—Pursuit after Pôros, nephew of the great Pôros—Conquest of the country between the Akesinês and the Hydraôtês—Passage of the latter river39. Chapter XXII.—Alexander marches against the Kathaians—Takes Pimprama, and lays siege to Sangala40. Chapter XXIII.—Alexander drives the Kathaians into Sangala, which he invests on every side41. Chapter XXIV.—Alexander captures Sangala, razes it to the ground, and advances to the river Hyphasis42. Chapter XXV.—Alexander finding the army unwilling to advance beyond the Hyphasis, convokes his officers and addresses them on the subject43. Chapter XXVI.—Continuation of Alexander’s Speech44. Chapter XXVII—Koinos, replying to Alexander, states the grievances of the army45. Chapter XXVIII.—Alexander mortified by the refusal of his army to advance, secludes himself in his tent, but in the end resolves to return46. Chapter XXIX.—Alexander erects altars on the banks of the Hyphasis to mark the limits of his advance, recrosses the Hydraôtês and Akesinês and regains the Hydaspês47. Chapter I.—Alexander mistakes the Indus for the upper Nile—Prepares to sail down stream to the sea48. Chapter II.—Description of the voyage down the Hydaspês49. Chapter III.—Description of the voyage down the Hydaspês continued50. Chapter IV.—Alexander accelerates his voyage to frustrate the plans of the Malloi and Oxydrakai, and reaches the turbulent confluence of the Hydaspês and Akesinês51. Chapter V.—Dangers encountered by the fleet at the confluence—Plan of the operations which followed—Voyage down the Akesinês52. Chapter VI.—Alexander invades the territories of the Malloi53. Chapter VII.—Siege and capture of several Mallian strongholds54. Chapter VIII.—Alexander defeats the Malloi at the Hydraôtês55. Chapter IX.—Alexander assails the chief stronghold of the Malloi, scales the wall of the citadel, into which he leaps down though alone56. Chapter X.—Alexander is dangerously wounded within the citadel57. Chapter XI.—Dangerous nature of Alexander’s wound—Arrian refutes some current fictions relating to this accident58. Chapter XII.—Distress and anxiety of the army at the prospect of Alexander’s death59. Chapter XIII.—Joy of the army on seeing Alexander after his recovery—His officers rebuke him for his rashness60. Chapter XIV.—Submission of the Malloi, Oxydrakai, and others—Voyage down the Hydraôtês and Akesinês to the Indus61. Chapter XV.—Appointment of Satraps—Voyage down the Indus to the dominions of Mousikanos, who tenders his submission62. Chapter XVI.—Campaign against Oxykanos and Sambos63. Chapter XVII.—Mousikanos is captured by Peithôn and executed—Alexander reaches Patala at the apex of the Indus Delta64. Chapter XVIII.—Alexander orders wells to be dug in the district round Patala, and sails down the western arm of the Indus65. Chapter XIX.—The fleet is damaged by the tide, halts at an island in the Indus, and thence reaches the open sea66. Chapter XX.—Alexander after returning to Patala sails down the eastern arm of the Indus67. Chapter XXI.—Alexander crosses the river Arabios and invades the Oreitai68. Chapter XXII.—Submission of the Oreitai—Description of the Gadrôsian desert69. Chapter XXIII.—Alexander marching through Gadrôsia endeavours to collect supplies for the fleet70. Chapter XXIV.—Difficulties encountered on the march through Gadrôsia71. Chapter XXV.—Sufferings of the army in the Gadrôsian desert72. Chapter XXVI.—Incidents of the march through Gadrôsia73. Chapter XXVII.—Appointment of satraps—Alexander learns that the satrap Philippos had been murdered in India—Punishes satraps who had misgoverned74. Chapter XXVIII.—Alexander holds rejoicings in Karmania on account of his Indian victories—List of his body-guards—Nearchos reports to him the safety of the fleet75. Q. CURTIUS RUFUS76. Chapter IX.—Description of India77. Chapter X.—Campaign in the regions west of the Indus—Alexander captures Nysa, and visits Mount Merus—Siege of Mazaga, and its surrender78. Chapter XI.—Siege and capture of the Rock Aornis79. Chapter XII.—Alexander marches to the Indus, crosses it, and is hospitably received by Omphis, King of Taxila80. Chapter XIII.—Alexander and Porus confront each other on opposite banks of the Hydaspes81. Chapter XIV.—Battle with Porus on the left bank of the Hydaspes—Porus being defeated surrenders82. Chapter I.—Alexander’s speech to his soldiers after the victory—Abisares sends him an embassy83. Chapter I. Continued.—Alexander advancing farther into the interior of India, passes through forests and deserts—Crosses the Hydraotes—Besieges and captures Sangala, and enters the kingdom of Sopithes, who receives him with great hospitality and shows him a dog and lion fight84. Chapter II.—Alexander obtains information about the Ganges and the strength of the army kept by Agrammes, king of the Prasians—His speech to the soldiers to induce them to advance to the Ganges85. Chapter III.—Speech of Coenus on behalf of the army—Alexander’s displeasure at the refusal of the soldiers to advance—He resolves to return—Raises altars as memorials of his presence—Reaches the Acesines, where Coenus dies—Reconciles Taxiles and Porus, and then sails down stream86. Chapter IV.—Alexander subdues various tribes on his way to the Indus—Disasters to his fleet at the meeting of the rivers—His campaign against the Sudracae and Malli—Assails their chief stronghold and is left standing alone on the wall87. Chapter V.—Alexander is severely wounded by an arrow within the stronghold of the Sudracae—The arrow is extracted by Critobulus88. Chapter VI.—Alexander recovers and shows himself to the army—His officers remonstrate with him for his recklessness in exposing his life to danger—His reply to their appeal89. Chapter VII.—The affair of Biton and Boxus at Baktra—Embassy from the Sudracae and Malli proffering submission—Alexander entertains his army and the embassy at a sumptuous banquet—Single combat between a Macedonian and an Athenian champion90. Chapter VIII.—Alexander receives the submission of the Malli—Invades the Musicani and the Praesti, whose king Porticanus is slain—He next attacks King Sambus, many of whose cities surrendered—Musicanus having revolted is captured and executed—Ptolemy is wounded by a poisoned arrow in the kingdom of Sambus, but recovers—Alexander reaches Patala and sails down the Indus91. Chapter IX.—Perils encountered on the voyage down the western arm of the Indus to the sea—Alexander returns from the mouth of the river to Patala92. Chapter X.—Alexander goes homeward by land, leaving Nearchus to follow by sea and conduct the fleet to the head of the Persian Gulf—Disastrous march through Gedrosia—Alexander arrives in Carmania, where he holds Bacchic revels to celebrate his conquests93. DIODÔROS SICULUS94. Chapter LXXXIV.—Alexander at Massaga—His treachery towards the Indian mercenaries who had capitulated95. Chapter LXXXV.—Alexander captures the rock Aornos96. Chapter LXXXVI.—Alexander crosses the Indus, and is hospitably received by Taxilês97. Chapter LXXXVII.—Alexander marches against Pôros—The appearance presented by the Indian army with its elephants98. Chapter LXXXVIII.—The defeat of Pôros99. Chapter LXXXIX.—Losses sustained by each side in the battle of the Hydaspês—Alexander orders a fleet to be built on the Hydaspês.100. Chapter XC.—Some account of the serpents, apes, and trees seen by the Macedonians in India101. Chapter XCI.—Alexander pursues Pôros, nephew of the great Pôros—Subdues the Adrestai and Kathaians and enters the kingdom of Sôpeithês—Peculiar customs of the natives of these parts102. Chapter XCII.—Courage and ferocity of the dogs in the dominions of Sôpeithês103. Chapter XCIII.—Submission of Phêgeus—Advance to the Hypanis—Description given by Phêgeus of the country beyond the Hypanis—Of the Praisians and their king Xandrames104. Chapter XCIV.—Miserable condition of the Macedonian army—Its refusal to advance beyond the Hypanis105. Chapter XCV.—Alexander erects altars and other memorials near the Hypanis, and returns to the Akesinês106. Chapter XCVI.—Voyage to the Southern Ocean begun—Submission of the Siboi—The Agalassians attacked and conquered107. Chapter XCVII.—Disaster to the fleet at the confluence of the rivers108. Chapter XCVIII.—Combination of the Syrakousai and Malloi—Alexander, neglecting the warning of a soothsayer, attacks their stronghold, and scales the walls of its citadel109. Chapter XCIX.—Alexander left alone leaps down from the walls into the citadel, bravely defends himself, but is dangerously wounded—He is rescued by his friends, who capture the stronghold—The Greek colonists in Bactria revolt110. Chapter C.—Alexander recovers from his wound—Combat between Koragos and Dioxippos—Dioxippos becomes victor111. Chapter CI.—The Macedonians plot against Dioxippos, who in consequence takes away his own life—Alexander’s regret for his loss112. Chapter CII.—The Sambastai, Sodrai, and Massanoi submit to Alexander, who founds near the banks of the river a city called Alexandreia—He conquers the kingdoms of Mousikanos, Portikanos, and Sambos—The last effects his escape113. Chapter CIII.—Harmatelia holds out against Alexander—In a battle with its inhabitants Ptolemy is wounded by a poisoned arrow, but is cured by an antidote revealed to Alexander in a dream114. Chapter CIV.—Alexander sails down to the mouth of the Indus—Sails back to Tauala (Patala?)—Starts on his march homewards, instructing Nearchos to explore the way with his fleet to the head of the Persian Gulf—Ravages the land of the Oritians and founds another Alexandreia115. Chapter CV.—How the Oritians bury their dead—The Ichthyophagoi described—Sufferings and losses of the army in the Gedrôsian desert—Relief sent by various satraps—Leonnatos is attacked by the Oritians116. Chapter CVI.—Revels of Alexander and the army after escaping from the desert—Officials who had abused their authority called to account—Nearchos visits Alexander at Salmous, and recounts the incidents of his voyage117. Chapter CVII.—Kalanos, the Indian philosopher, immolates himself—Alexander marries the daughter of Darius118. PLUTARCH119. Chapter LVIII.—Alexander at Nysa120. Chapter LIX.—Interchange of civilities between Alexander and Taxilês—Alexander breaks his faith with Indian mercenaries, and hangs some Indian philosophers121. Chapter LX.—The account of the battle with Pôros, as given by Alexander himself—Alexander’s noble treatment of Pôros122. Chapter LXI.—Death of Boukephalas, and Alexander’s regret at his loss123. Chapter LXII.—The army refuses to advance to the Ganges—Alexander, preparing to retreat, erects altars which were afterwards held in veneration by the Praisian kings—The opinion of Androkottos124. Chapter LXIII.—Alexander starts on a voyage down stream, reducing tribes by the way—He is dangerously wounded in the capital of the Malloi—Extraction of the arrow from his wound—His recovery125. Chapter LXIV.—Alexander’s interview with the Indian gymnosophists126. Chapter LXV.—Onesikritos confers with the Indian gymnosophists Kalanos and Dandamis—Kalanos visits Alexander and shows him a symbol of his empire127. Chapter LXVI.—Alexander visits the island Skilloustis, and sailing thence explores the sea—Sufferings of his army on the march homeward, and extent of its losses—Relief sent by the satraps128. Chapter LXVII.—Alexander and the army indulge in wild revelry on emerging from the desert129. JUSTIN130. Chapter VII.—Alexander visits Nysa and Mount Merus—Receives the submission of Queen Cleophis and captures the Rock (Aornos)131. Chapter VIII.—Alexander conquers Porus—Builds Nicaea and Boucephala, and reduces the Adrestae, Gesteani, Praesidae, and Gangaridae—Advances to the Cuphites (Beäs), beyond which the army refuses to follow him—He agrees to return, and leaves memorials of his progress132. Chapter IX.—Alexander sailing down the Panjâb rivers to the ocean, reduces the Hiacensanae, Silei, Ambri, and Sigambri—He is dangerously wounded in attacking one of their strongholds133. Chapter X.—Alexander reaches the city of King Ambigerus (Sambos?)—Ptolemy is there wounded by a poisoned arrow—An antidote to the poison is revealed to Alexander in a dream—He sails down to the mouth of the Indus—Founds Barce—Leaves India and returns to Babylon134. Chapter IV.—Seleucus Nicator subjugates the Bactrians and enters India—The history of Sandrocottus who was then King of India—Seleucus makes a treaty of peace with him and returns to the West135. APPENDICES136. APPENDICES (continued 2)137. APPENDICES (continued 3)138. I. GENERAL INDEX139. II. INDEX OF AUTHORITIES QUOTED OR REFERRED TO