1852.] On the Sites of Nikaia and Boukephalon. 243 



site westward of that city, would answer for the position of Sangala 

 and Pimprama. But although a channel of the Ravi runs under the 

 walls of Lahore, and although its position must have given it conse- 

 quence from an early date, yet we learn from all the traditionary 

 ballads of the Punjaub that Lahore was called in olden times Oodi- 

 nugri. 



Arrian relates no more regarding the Bari Doaba. But Curtius 

 states that, on leaving Sangala,* Alexander came to a strong city pre- 

 pared to resist him, but for a sedition which opened to him the gates ; 

 that he spared this and other cities which submitted, and then came 

 into the kingdom of Sophis, or the Sophitis, of whose dress, laws and 

 manners, he gives a most interesting account. " A race," he says, " al- 

 though barbarous, of surpassing wisdom and excellent morals. The 

 children are not educated at the caprice of their parents, but entrusted 

 to persons appointed to instruct them. The deformed are destroyed. 

 Marriages are sought, not for the sake of rank and connection, but for 

 the beauty of the parties." Their king Sophis, or Sophtis, was dressed 

 in a gown of purple descending to the feet. He wore golden slippers, 

 his arms and wrists were enclapsed in pearls, and large and lustrous 



* Ipse cseteros ad urbem validam in quam aliarum quoque confugerant incolee, 

 duxit. Oppidani missis qui regem deprecarentur, nihilominus bellum parabant. 

 Quippe orta seditio in diversa consilia diduxerat vulgum ; alii omnia deditione 

 potiora, quidam nullam opera in ipsis esse ducebant. Sed dum nihil in commune 

 consulitur, qui deditioni imminebant, apertis portis hostem recipiunt, &c. &c. 

 Hinc in regnum Sophitis perventum est. Gens (ut barbari) sapientia excellit, 

 bonisque moribus regitur. Genitos liberos non parentum arbitrio tollunt alunt- 

 que, sed eorum quibus spectandi infantium habitum cura mandata est. Si quos 

 segnes aut aliqua membrorum parte inutiles notaverunt, necari jubent. Nuptiis 

 coeunt non geneie ac nobilitate coDJunctis, sed electa corporum specie, quia eadem 

 sestimatur in liberis. Hujus gentis oppidum cui Alexander admoverat copias, ab 

 ipso Sophite obtinebatur. Clausse erant porta? : sed nulli in muris turribusque 

 se armati ostendebant : dubitabantque Macedones deseruissentne urbem incolse, 

 an fraude se occulerent ; quum subito patefacta porta, rex Indus cum duobus 

 adultis filiis occurrit, multum inter omnes barbaros eminens corporis specie. 

 Vestis erat auro purpuraque distincta, quse etiam crura velabat. Aureis soleis 

 inseruerat gemmas ; lacerti quoque et brachia margaritis ornata erant. Pende- 

 bant ex auribus insignes candore et magnitudine lapilli. Baculum aureum berylli 

 distinguebant : quo tradito precatus ut sospes acciperet, se, liberosque, et gentem 

 suam dedidit. Nobiles ad venandum canes in ea regione sunt, &c. ix. 1. 



2 I 



