1854.] Gradus ad Aornon. 341 



Alexander was now upon a plain with the rock as it is still called 

 before him. He immediately felled the forest, each soldier contri- 

 buting one hundred young trees to the work, and dug a trench of 

 approach with a parapet, which the first day was advanced about 

 125 yds. On the third day they reached the rock or fort. It was 

 then that a small body of Macedonians made a dash at a little hill 

 as high as the defences of the enemy and carried and secured it. 

 And Alexander exerted all his energies to bring the trench up into 

 contact with this hill. The enemy in despair sent to ask terms and 

 during the night evacuated the place. 



The whole account of Arrian of the rock Aornos is a faithful 

 picture of the mountain Mahabunn. It was the most remarkable 

 feature of the country, as is the Mahabunn. It was the refuge of 

 all the neighbouring tribes. It was covered with forest. It had 

 good soil sufficient for a thousand ploughs, and pure springs of water 

 every where abounded. It was 4,125 feet above the plain 

 and fourteen miles in circuit. It was precipitous on the side 

 of Embolima ; yet not so steep but that 220 horse and the war- 

 engines were taken to the summit. The summit was a plain where 

 cavalry could act. It would be difficult to offer a more faithful 

 description of the Mahabunn.* 



Why the historians should all call it the rock Aornos, it is diffi- 

 cult to say. The side on which Alexander scaled the main summit 

 had certainly the character of a rock. But the whole description 

 of Arrian indicates a table mountain. 



The fortification itself though styled the rock does not seem to 

 have been very lofty nor formidable. Alexander went at it without 

 scaling ladders the night of its evacuation, and was the first to 

 ascend it. This we learn from the remark that the soldiers drew 

 one another up the rock. 



No European in modern days has ascended the Mahabunn. The 

 accounts of natives are so vague, that it is difficult to trust them. 



* The word Mahabunn signifies mighty forest or mighty pool. The mountain 

 certainly is covered with forest excepting at summit. It seems to me possible that 

 the original name may have been Mahabutt the mighty rock, which would account 

 for its being always styled the rock by Greek authors. 



2 L 



