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.