Classical Studies 2902B

Rest of Alexander’s Indian Campaign (to Pattala)

This period runs from May, 326 to August, 325.

In the aftermath of the victory at the River Hydaspes, A issued 10 drachma silver medallions—apparently engraved and minted in India (see p. 43 in Cartledge; also p. 184). Also loss of Bucephalas—some say from wounds in the battle, others say old age (well over 20, apparently). A. gave him a grand funeral and founded a city in his honour (see Romm, p.132 for Arrian’s version; also, map in Romm, p. xxix is wrong—it does not show A.’s advance to the Hyphasis River [Beas]). Army rested for about a month; so advance continued in late June, 326. Crossing of Achesines and Hydraotes Rivers (not small streams, but wide, fast-flowing rivers), and army finally came to the crossing of the Hyphasis, which had formed easternmost frontier of the Persian Empire at its greatest extent. This was known to A.’s soldiers and there were scary rumours about other rivers to the east, and mighty powers (with many elephants; troops were seriously spooked by fighting against elephants). Mutiny—and nothing A. could do would budge them: he appealed to his officers, who were generally hostile, and Coenus spoke against further advance (he was possibly quite sick then, but certainly died soon after). A. shouted and sulked in his tent—but nothing doing; so he took omens: unfavourable, of course. Result was retreat to Hydaspes, where Craterus had been preparing a fleet (what for?).

By now, early autumn of 326 and massive reinforcements had arrived from Thrace, Greece and Babylon (c. 30,000 inf. and 6,000 cav.) Fleet sailed S. with accompanying army in Nov., 326—down Hyphasis, past various confluences, but S-wards all the time—quite slowly. Some campaigning, espec. among the Malli [Mallava]—fierce resistance, led by Brahmin priestly class—came to a head at a Mallian town, name unknown. A. went over the wall, followed by three Macedonians—Indian arrow went through A.’s corslet and penetrated his lung; Peucestas, his shield-bearer protected him until help arrived; but after he was rescued, rumour spread that he was dead. So eventually he got on a horse, rode into camp to show he was alive, and went to his tent—and collapsed.

By February, 325, flotilla and troops reached junction of Punjab rivers and Indus: it still took A. another five months to reach Indus delta in the south. On the way, A. divided his forces (near mod. Shikarpore): Craterus (and Polyperchon) took part of the phalanx, elephants, and time-expired veterans, to march overland to Carmenia to rendezvous with the rest of the army and the fleet ( the route which Craterus took was thoroughly worked out before he left—A’s intelligence in this part of the Empire was good).

A. reached Pattala (near Hyderabad) at bottom (N. end) of Indus delta in July, 325.