Delphi Complete Works of Quintus Curtius Rufus

by Quintus Curtius Rufus

  [7] Next, after subduing this unknown people, he came to the city of Nysa. It chanced that when he had pitched a camp before the very walls in a wooded place, a coldness severer than they had experienced at any other time chilled their bodies, and fire offered [8] a convenient remedy. Therefore they cut down trees and raised a flame, which, fed by logs, caught the sepulchres of the inhabitants. These had been built of old cedar, and widely spread the fire which had been started, until all were levelled with the [9] ground. And from the city first the barking of dogs, then the noise of men was heard. Then the townspeople knew that the enemy had come, and the Macedonians themselves, that they had reached the [10] city. And already the king had led out his troops and was laying siege to the place, when those of the enemy who had attempted a sortie were over-whelmed by weapons. In consequence some favoured surrender, others the trial of battle.

  When their hesitation became known, Alexander directed that they should merely be beleaguered and not killed, and at last, exhausted by the hardships of a siege, they gave themselves up. They said that they had been founded by Father Liber; and this [12] was in fact their origin. The city is situated at the foot of a mountain which the natives call Meros; from this the Greeks took the liberty of inventing the fable that Father Liber had been hidden in the [13] thigh of Jupiter. Alexander, having learned from the natives the situation of the mountain, had supplies sent in advance, and ascended to its summit with his whole army. Ivy and vines in abundance grow all over the height, and many perennial springs [14] gush forth. There are also fruits of a varied and wholesome flavour, since the earth without cultivation produces crops from the seeds that chance to fall there. Laurel, box, and myrtle form a natural grove [15] on those rocks. Carried away, as I for my part believe, not by divine inspiration but by a spirit of playfulness, they plucked the foliage of the ivy and the vines everywhere, and wreathed with garlands made from the leaves, wandered here and there through the whole grove like so many bacchantes.

  [16] Hence the mountain heights and valleys rang with the shouts of so many thousands, as they invoked the god who presided over that grove, since as soon as this wantonness was begun by a few, as commonly happens it quickly spread to the whole company.

  [17] In fact, as if they were in full enjoyment of peace, they threw themselves on the grass and the leaves that they had heaped together. And the king, not averse to this opportunity for revelry, furnished in abundance everything needed for feasting, and for ten days kept the army engaged in the service of Bacchus. Who would deny that distinguished glory also is more often the gift of Fortune than of merit? For the enemy did not venture to attack them even while they were feasting or in a drunken sleep, being as greatly terrified by the noise of their rioting and howling as if they had heard the shouts of men going to battle. The same good fortune on their return from the Ocean protected them in their drunken revelry before the faces of their enemies.

  [19] From here they came to the region which is called Daedala. The inhabitants had deserted their homes and had fled to the inaccessible and forest-covered mountains. Accordingly the king passed by Aeadira, which was equally abandoned and deserted by the [20] flight of its inhabitants. And so necessity changed his plan for war. For dividing his forces, he showed his arms in many places at the same time, and when the natives had been crushed where they had not looked for the enemy, they were thoroughly subdued [21] through general bloodshed. Ptolemy took the most cities, Alexander the greatest; then the king united again the forces which he had distributed.

  [22] Next, having passed over the Choaspes River, he left Coenus engaged in the siege of a rich city — the inhabitants call it Beira — and he himself came to the country of the Mazagae Assacenus, whose realm it had been, had lately died, and his mother [23] Cleophis ruled the city and the region. The city was garrisoned by 38,000 infantry and was fortified, not only by its situation, but also by art. For where it looks towards the east it is girt by a very rapid river, which, having precipitous banks on both sides, makes [24] approach to the city difficult. Towards the west and the south Nature, as if by design, has thrown up towering crags, below which lie caverns and abysses which have been deeply hollowed by long lapse of time, and where they come to an end ditches have been 26 interposed with enormous labour. The city is surrounded by a wall of thirty-five stadia, the lower part of which is constructed of stone, the upper part of sun-dried brick. The brick work is so bound together by stones which they have interposed and at the same time by earth soaked in water, that the weaker part [26] rests on a stronger material. Nevertheless, in order that the whole structure might not settle, strong beams were placed upon it, on which galleries were raised, which both protected the walls and at the same time afforded a passage through them.

  [27] As Alexander was reconnoitring these fortifications and was uncertain what to do, since he could not fill up the caverns except by a mound, nor move up his siege-engines to the walls in any other way, someone from the wall shot at him with an arrow, and, as it happened, the weapon struck him in the [28] calf of his leg. When the barb had been pulled out he ordered a horse to be brought and riding upon it, without even binding up the wound, he continued no less vigorously to carry on what he had undertaken.

  [29] But since the wounded leg hung down, and when the blood dried the stiffening of the wound aggravated the pain, he is reported to have said that he was indeed called the son of Jupiter, but that he felt the effects of an ailing body. Yet he did not return to camp until he had carefully examined everything and had ordered what he wished to be done. Accordingly, just as had been commanded, some were demolishing the houses outside the city and were bringing a great amount of timber for making the mound; others were throwing trunks of great trees, with their branches, and masses of stone into the 3] caverns. And already the mound had risen to the level of the surface of the ground; therefore they erected towers, and such was the ardour of the soldiers that these tasks were finished within the ninth day.

  To inspect these works the king went out before a scab had covered his wound, and after praising the soldiers he ordered them to push forward the siege-engines, from which a mighty mass of weapons was [32] poured upon the defenders. The movable towers especially terrified men who were unacquainted with; such devices, and they believed that such massive structures, aided by no visible power, were moved by the will of the gods; the mural pikes also, and the heavy spears hurled by the engines, they said [33] were not compatible with mortal power. Therefore, despairing of defending the city, they withdrew to the citadel. From there, because nothing but surrender was open to the besieged, envoys came down [34] to the king to ask for pardon. When this was granted, the queen came with a great train of noble ladies, making libations of wine from golden cups.

  [35] She herself, placing her little son at the king’s knees, obtained, not only pardon, but also the splendour of her former fortune; indeed, she was addressed as queen. And some believed that this was granted rather to her beauty than because of compassion; [36] also it is certain that a son who was born to her, whoever his father was, was called Alexander.

  XI. Then Polypercon, who had been sent to the city of Hora with an army, defeated the townsmen in a battle when they made a disorderly sortie; having driven them within their fortifications, he followed [2] and reduced the city to subjection. Many obscure towns, which had been deserted by their inhabitants, came into the power of the king. The inhabitants of these armed themselves and occupied a crag called Aornus. That this had been beset by Hercules without success and that he had been compelled by an earthquake to abandon the attempt was a widespread [3] report. When Alexander was at a loss, because the rock was steep and abrupt on all sides, an old man who was acquainted with the neighbourhood came to him with two sons, promising that if it were made [4] worth his while he would show him a way up. Alexander agreed that he would give him eighty talents and having retained one of the young men as a hostage, sent the father to carry out what he had offered [5] to do. Myllinas, the king
’s secretary, was made the leader of a light-armed troop. For Alexander wished these to go to the summit by a circuitous route, in order to escape the notice of the enemy.

  [6] The rock did not, like many others, rise by moderate and gentle slopes to a lofty summit, but elevated itself very much in the manner of a turning-block, of which the lower parts are wider, but become narrower as they rise higher and force the highest parts into [7] a sharp point. The Indus River comes close up to its base, and is very deep with steep banks on both sides; on the other side there are deep abysses and chasms. There was no other way open for storming the place [8] except by filling these. There was a forest at hand; this the king ordered to be cut in such a way that the tree-trunks should be thrown in stripped bare; for the branches covered with leaves would have hampered those who carried them. Alexander himself trimmed and threw in the first tree, and the army’s shouting which followed was an indication of their eagerness, since no one shirked the task in which the [9] king had taken the lead. In this way before the seventh day they had wholly filled the caverns, when the king ordered the archers and the Agriani to try to mount the heights. Also he chose thirty of the [10] most active men of his own cohort. As leaders he gave them Charus and Alexander, and the king exhorted the latter to remember the name which he had in common with himself. And at first, because the danger was so evident, the king himself decided [11] not to run the risk, but when the signal was given by the trumpet, that prince of ready daring, turning to his guards, ordered them to follow him, and was the first to climb upon the rock. Then not one of the Macedonians stayed behind, but leaving their posts [12] of their own accord, they followed the king. Many met a wretched death, for they slipped from the steep rock, and the river which flowed by swallowed them up, a sad sight even for those who were not at the moment in danger; but when by the death of others they were reminded what they themselves had to fear, compassion changing to dread, they lamented, not the dead, but themselves.

  And now they had gone so far that except as victors, they could not return without destruction, since the barbarians were rolling down huge stones upon them as they went up, and when struck by these while their footing was unsteady and slipping, [14] they fell back headlong. Nevertheless Alexander and Charus, whom the king had sent ahead with thirty selected men, had gained the height and were already fighting hand to hand; but since the barbarians showered javelins upon them from above, they themselves were wounded more often than they [15] inflicted wounds. Therefore Alexander,” remembering his name and his promise, while fighting more fearlessly than cautiously, was struck from every side [16] and overwhelmed. When Charus saw him lying prostrate, unmindful of everything except revenge he began to rush upon the enemy and killed many with his lance, some with his sword; but when so many assailed one man, he fell lifeless upon the body [17] of his friend. The king, troubled as was natural by the death of these most valiant young men and of the [18] rest of his soldiers, gave the signal for retreat. They saved themselves by withdrawing gradually and unterrified, and the barbarians, content with having dislodged the enemy, did not follow them up as they [19] gave ground. But although Alexander had decided to abandon the attempt — for no hope was offered of getting possession of the rock — yet he made a show of persisting in the siege. For he ordered the roads to be beset, and the towers to be advanced, and others to take the place of the wearied.

  [20] When his persistence was known, the Indi feasted for two days and two nights with a display, not only of confidence, but even of victory, beating drums [21] according to their custom; but on the third night the noise of the drums had ceased to be heard, but from the whole rock torches gleamed, which the barbarians had lighted in order that their flight might be safer, since they would have to run over pathless rocks in the darkness of night. The king, having sent Balacrus to reconnoitre, learned that the rock was deserted and the Indi in flight. Then, when the signal had been given for all to raise a shout, he struck [23] fear into them as they fled in disorder; and many, as if the enemy were at hand, were killed by throwing themselves over the slippery stones and pathless crags, still more, disabled in some part of their limbs, [24] were deserted by those who escaped injury. The king, although victor rather over the locality than over the enemy, yet made the show of a great triumph by sacrifices and worship of the gods. Altars to [25] Minerva Victoria were set up on the rock. To the guides of the road by which he had ordered the lightarmed troops to go up, although they had accomplished less than they had promised, the reward was faithfully paid, and the government of the rock, and of the district adjoining it, was entrusted to Sisocostus.

  XII. From there the king went on to Ecbolima, and when he had found that a narrow part of the road was blocked by a certain Erices with 20,000 armed men, he turned over the heavier part of the army to [2] Coenus to be led at a moderate pace, and he himself, going ahead, dislodged by slingers and archers those who had beset the narrows, and make a way for the [3] forces which were following him. The Indi, either through hatred of their leader, or with the object of entering the good graces of the victor, attacked Erices, who was in flight, killed him, and bore his head and armour to Alexander. He granted impunity to the deed, but refused any honour to the example.

  From here he came on the sixteenth day to the river Indus, and found, as he had directed, that everything had been prepared by Hephaestion for crossing it. In that region Omphis was king, who had induced his father also to surrender his kingdom [5] to Alexander and after the death of his parent had sent envoys to ask Alexander whether he wished him to reign in the interim, or as a private citizen to await [6] his coming. But although he was allowed to be king, he nevertheless did not have the courage to use the privilege which was granted him. He indeed had received Hephaestion courteously, had measured out grain free of charge to his troops, yet had not met him, fearing to test the good faith of anyone except [7] the king. And so, when Alexander was coming near, he went out to meet him with his army equipped for action, in which he had also at moderate intervals between the companies of soldiers placed elephants, which at a distance gave the appearance of castles.

  [8] And Alexander at first thought that not an ally but an enemy was coming, and he also had already ordered his soldiers to take arms and the cavalry to withdraw to the wings, and was prepared for battle.

  But the Indian, perceiving the mistake of the Macedonians, ordered the rest of his force to halt and himself put spurs to the horse which he was riding; Alexander did the same, whether he came as an enemy or a friend feeling safe either through his own [9] valour or the prince’s good faith. They met, as could be judged from the expression of each, in a spirit of friendship. However, they could not talk together without an interpreter; accordingly, when one had been furnished, the barbarian said that he had met Alexander with his army, intending at once to deliver to him all the forces of his empire, and had not waited for a pledge of safety to be given through [10] messengers. He said that he entrusted his person and his realm to a prince whom he knew to be fighting for glory and to fear nothing more than a reputation for treachery. Pleased by the sincerity of the barbarian, the king gave him his hand as a pledge of [11] good faith, and restored his kingdom to him. There were fifty-six elephants, which he presented to Alexander, besides many head of sheep of extraordinary size and about 3000 bulls, a herd highly valued in that region and pleasing to the minds of rulers.

  [12] When Alexander inquired whether he had more field-labourers or soldiers, Omphis replied that since he was at war with two kings, he needed a greater [13] force of soldiers than of farmers. These kings were Abisares and Porus, but Porus was the more powerful. Both reigned beyond the river Hydaspes, and they had decided to try the fortune of war against [14] anyone who attacked them. Omphis with the permission of Alexander assumed the royal diadem, and according to the usage of his race took the name which his father had had; the people called him Taxiles, a name which went with the sovereignty [15] of whoever succeeded to it. Having then entertained Alexan
der as his guest for three days, on the fourth day he both made known how much grain he had furnished to the forces which Hephaestion had brought, and gave golden crowns to Alexander and to all his friends, and besides these eighty talents of coined silver as a gift. Alexander, wonderfully [16] pleased by his generosity, both returned what he had given and added 1000 talents from the booty which he was carrying, besides many gold and silver vessels for use at table, a quantity of Persian robes, and thirty of his own horses with the same trappings to which they were accustomed when he himself rode them.

  [17] This liberality, although it put the barbarian under an obligation, yet seriously offended the king’s friends. One of them, Meleager, having indulged too freely in wine, said at table that he congratulated Alexander that at least in India he had found a man [18] deserving of 1000 talents. The king, not forgetting how deeply he had regretted having killed Clitus because of his rash language, restrained his anger, but said that jealous men were nothing less than self-tormentors.