1854.] Gradus ad Aornon. 327 



XXX. — On the 1st day, the army dug for him about a stadion. On 

 the morrow (7th) they slinging at the Indians from the mound already 

 raised, and the darts being launched from the engine, repelled the 

 sallies of the Indians upon the diggers. And in three days they dug for 

 him even to the works, (end of 8th) on the 4th day (9th)* a few of the 

 Macedonians gallantly carried a small hill, even with the rock, and 

 Alexander, on the alert, advanced the trench, purposing to connect it 

 with the hill which those few already held for him. But the Indians 

 astounded at the unparalleled audacity of the Macedonians carrying 

 the hill, and already beholding the mound united (to it) abstained 

 from defending themselves, but sending their heralds to Alexander, 

 expressed their readiness to surrender the rock, if he would make a 

 covenant with them. He suspected that they were wearing out 

 the day in negotiations, that at night each might nee to his own. 

 And when Alexander perceived this, he gave them time for the flight, 

 and removed the guards posted around them. And he waited until 

 they should commence their flight, and at that moment taking 700 

 body-guard and of the shield-bearers to the adventure of the rock,' 

 himself first ascended it, and the Macedonians, hauling up one the 

 other, ascended in succession. And they routing the departing 

 barbarians at a signal, many were slain in flight, and the fugitives 

 being terrified threw themselves down the cliffs and perished. The 

 rock thus came into the hands of Alexander which had remained 

 impregnable to Hercules. And Alexander burnt incense upon it 

 and appointed a garrison, entrusting to Sisicostos the superintend- 

 ence of the garrison, who from the Indians had heretofore behaved 

 bravely against Bessos. And Alexander occupying the Baktriau 

 country campaigned in his company, and this appeared a pledge for 

 the best. Quitting the rock, he invaded the country of the Assa- 

 kanoi. For he had heard that the brother of Assakanos, having 

 elephants, and many of the neighbouring barbarians had fled together 

 to that mountain. And coming to the city Durta he (found) none 



* Rooke ia his translation thus renders the passage : " But on the fourth, when 

 some Macedonians had begun to build a mound opposite to the rock which was 

 designed to be of equal height therewith." I prefer my own translation. The 

 reader may judge for himself: Arrian says rrj T^raprr] 5e JStaaa/xevoi ru>v M aicedopew ov 

 "koWoi Kareaxov oXiyov yr}\ocpou iaoire§ov tt) irerpa. Lib. IV. ch. XXX. 



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