Delphi Complete Works of Quintus Curtius Rufus

by Quintus Curtius Rufus

  Indorum legati dimissi domos paucis post diebus cum donis revertuntur. CCC erant equites, MXXX currus, quos quadriiugi equi ducebant, lineae vestis aliquantum, mille scuta Indica et ferri candidi talenta C leonesque rarae magnitudinis et tigres, [2] utrumque animal ad mansuetudinem domitum, lacertarum quoque ingentium pelles et dorsa testudinum. [3] Cratero deinde imperat rex, haud procul amne, per quem erat ipse navigaturus, copias duceret: eos autem, qui comitari eum solebant, inponit in naves et in fines Mallorum secundo amne devehitur. [4] Inde Sambagras adiit, validam Indiae gentem, quae populi, non regum imperio regebatur. LX milia peditum habebant, equitum VI milia: has copias currus D sequebantur. in duces spectatos virtute bellica elegerant. [5] At, qui in agris erant proximis flumini — frequentes autem vicos maxime in ripa habebant — ut videre totum amnem, qua prospici poterat, navigiis constratum et tot militum arma fulgentia, territi nova facie deorum exercitum et alium Liberum Patrem, celebre in illis gentibus nomen, adventare credebant. [p. 338] [6] Hinc militum clamor, hinc remorum pulsus variaeque nautarum voces hortantium pavidas aures inpleverant. [7] Ergo universi ad eos, qui in armis erant, currant furere clamitantes et cum dis proelium inituros: navigia non posse numerari, quae invictos viros veherent. Tantumque in exercitum suorum intulere terroris, ut legatos mitterent gentem dedituros. [8] His in fidem acceptis ad alias deinde gentes quarto die pervenit. Nihilo plus animi his fuit, quam ceteris fuerat. [9] Itaque oppido ibi condito, quod Alexandream appellari iusserat, fines eorum, qui Musicani appellantur, intravit. Hic de Teriolte satrape, quem Parapanisadis praefecerat, isdem arguentibus cognovit multaque avare ac superbe fecisse convictum interfici iussit. [10] Oxyartes, praetor Bactrianorum, non absolutus modo, sed etiam iure amoris amplioris imperii donatus est finibus. Musicanis deinde in dicionem redactis urbi eorum praesidium inposuit. [11] Inde per silvas ad asperam Indiae gentem, perventum est. Porticanus rex erat, qui se munitae urbi cum magna manu popularium incluserat. Hanc Alexander tertio die, quam coeperat obsidere, expugnavit. [12] Et Porticanus, cum in arcem confugisset, legatos de condicione deditionis misit ad regem. Sed antequam adirent eum, duae turres cum ingenti fragore prociderant: per quarum ruinas Macedones evasere in arcem. Qua capta Porticanus cum paucis repugnans occiditur. [13] Diruta igitur arce et omnibus captivis venundatis [p. 339] Sambi regis fines ingressus est multisque oppidis in fidem acceptis validissimam gentis urbem cuniculo cepit. [14] Barbarie simile monstri visum est rudibus militarium operum: quippe in media ferme urbe armati terra existebant nullo suffossi specus ante vestigio facto. [15] LXXX milia Indorum in ea regione caesa Clitarchus est auctor multosque captivos sub corona venisse. [16] Rursus Musicani defecerunt: ad quos opprimendos missus est Pithon, qui captum principem gentis eundemque defectionis auctorem adduxit ad regem. Quo Alexander in crucem sublato rursus amnem, in quo classem expectare se iusserat, repetit. [17] Quarto deinde die secundo amne pervenit ad oppidum, quod in regno imo erat Sambi. Nuper se ille dediderat, sed oppidani detrectabant imperium et clauserant portas. [18] Quorum paucitate contempta rex D Agrianos moenia subire iussit et sensim recedentes elicere extra muros hostem, secuturum profecto, si fugere eos crederet. [19] Agriani, sicut imperatum erat, lacessito hoste subito terga verterunt: quos barbari effuse sequentes in alios, inter quos ipse rex erat, incidunt. Renovato ergo proelio ex III milibus barbarorum DC caesi sunt, м capti, ceteri moenibus urbis inclusi. [20] Sed non ut prima specie laeta victoria, ita eventu quoque fuit: quippe barbari veneno tinxerant gladios. Itaque saucii subinde expirabant, nec causa tam strenuae mortis excogitan poterat a medicis, cum etiam leves plagae insanabiles essent. [21] Barbari autem speraverant in- [p. 340] cautum et temerarium regem excipi posse. Sed forte inter promptissimos dimicans intactus evaserat. [22] Praecipue Ptolomaeus, laevo humero leviter quidem saucius, sed maiore periculo quam vulnere adfectus, regis sollicitudinem in se converterat. Sanguine coniunctus erat, et quidam Philippo genitum esse credebant: certe pelice eius ortum constabat. [23] Idem corporis custos promptissimusque bellator et pacis artibus quam militiae maior et clarior: modico civilique cultu, liberalis inprimis adituque facili nihil ex fastu regiae adsumpserat. [24] Ob haec regi an popularibus carior esset, dubitari poterat: tum certe primum expertus suorum animos, adeo ut fortunam, in quam postea ascendit, in illo periculo Macedones ominati esse videantur. [25] Quippe non levior illis Ptolomaei fuit cura quam regi. Qui et proelio et sollicitudine fatigatus cum Ptolomaeo adsideret, lectum, in quo ipse adquiesceret, iussit inferri. [26] In quem ut se recepit, protinus altior insecutus est somnus. Ex quo excitatus per quietem vidisse se exponit speciem draconis oblatam herbam ferentis ore, [27] quam veneni remedium esse monstrasset: colorem quoque herbae referebat agniturum, si quis repperisset, adfirmans. Inventam deinde — quippe a multis simul erat requisita — vulneri inposuit, protinusque dolore finito intra breve spatium cicatrix quoque obducta est. [28] Barbaros ut prima spes fefellerat, se ipsos urbemque dediderunt. Hinc in proximam gentem Patalium perventum est. [p. 341] Rex erat Soeris, qui urbe deserta in montes profugerat: [29] itaque Alexander oppido potitur agrosque populatur. Magnae inde praedae actae sunt pecorum armentorumque, magna vis reperta frumenti. [30] Ducibus deinde sumptis amnis peritis defluxit ad insulam medio ferme alveo enatam.

  VIII. After the envoys of the Indians had been sent home, they returned a few days later with gifts. These consisted of 300 horsemen, 1030 chariots, each drawn by four horses abreast, a quantity of linen cloth, 1000 Indic shields, 100 talents of white iron, [2] lions and tigers of unusual size (both species of animals being broken in and tamed), also some skins [3] of huge lizards, and shells of tortoises. Then the king ordered Craterus to lead on his forces at no great distance from the river down which he was going to sail, but those who were accustomed to attend him he embarked upon ships and sailed downstream to the lands of the Malli.

  [4] From there he went on to the Sambagrae, a strong race of India, which was governed by the will of the people, not the power of kings. They had 60,000 infantry and 6000 cavalry; these forces were followed by 500 chariots. They had chosen three leaders [5] distinguished for valour in war. But the people in the fields adjoining the river — and they had many villages, especially on its bank — when they saw the whole stream as far as they could see covered with ships, and shining arms of so many soldiers, stunned by the novel sight, believed an army of gods was coming and another Father Liber, a name celebrated [6] among those nations. Hence the shouting of the soldiers, hence the beat of the oars and the confused cries of the rowers, as they encouraged one another, [7] had filled their ears with terror. Therefore they all ran to those who were under arms, crying that they were mad and were about to do battle with gods; that the ships were innumerable and carried invincible heroes. And they struck such terror into the army of their countrymen that they sent envoys to surrender the nation. g When these had been received in submission, Alexander came next on the fourth day to another nation. These had no more courage than the others had had. Accordingly, after founding a town there, which he ordered to be called Alexandria, he entered the territories of those who are called the [9] Musicani. Here, because of charges made by the Parapanisadae, he tried the satrap Terioltes,” whom he had made their governor, and since he was convicted of many acts of greed and arrogance, ordered [10] him to be put to death. Oxyartes, ruler of the Bactriani, was not only acquitted, but because of his tie of affection with the king was given the territories of a more extensive rule. Then, having reduced the Musicani to submission, Alexander put a garrison in charge of their capital.

  [11] From there he came through forests to a rude race of India. Its king was Porticanus, who with a great force of his subjects had shut himself up in a fortified city. This Alexander took by assault on the third [12] day after he had begun to besiege it. And Porticanus, having taken refuge in the citadel, sent envoys to the king to discuss conditions of surrender. But before they reached Alexander two towers had fallen with a mighty crash, and through their ruins the Macedonians burst into the citadel. After this had been taken, Porticanus, who was resisting with a few o
f his men, was slain.

  [13] Having therefore razed the citadel, and sold all the prisoners, Alexander entered the domain of King Sambus, and after receiving many towns in surrender took the strongest city of the nation by a [14] subterranean passage. To the barbarians, who were inexperienced in military operations, this seemed like a prodigy; for armed men came up out of the earth almost in the middle of the city, no indication having been given beforehand of the digging of the passage-

  [15] way. Clitarchus states that 80,000 Indi were killed in that region, and many captives sold at auction.

  [16] Again the Musicani revolted; Pithon was sent to subdue them, captured the principal man of the race, who was also the instigator of the rebellion and brought him to Alexander. The king had him crucified, and returned again to the river, on which he had ordered the fleet to wait for him.

  [17] Then, three days later, he sailed down the river to a town at the extremity of the realm of Sambus. That king had lately given himself up, but the people of the city rejected his authority and had closed the [18] gates of the town. The king, despising the smallness of their number, ordered 500 of the Agriani to advance to the wall, and by slowly retiring to lure the enemy outside of the town; for they would be sure to follow, if they believed that the Agriani were [19] in flight. The Agriani, as had been ordered, after attacking the enemy, suddenly turned their backs; the barbarians, hotly pursuing them, fell in with other troops, among whom was King Alexander himself. Hence the battle was renewed, and of 3000 barbarians 600 were killed, 1000 captured, and the [20] rest shut within the walls of the city. But the victory was not so happy in its outcome as it appeared to be at first sight; for the barbarians had poisoned their swords. In consequence the wounded died one after the other, and no cause for so speedy a death could be imagined by the physicians, since even slight wounds were incurable.

  [21] Now the barbarians had hoped that the incautious and rash king might be one of the victims. But although he fought among the foremost, he was [22] fortunate enough to escape untouched. Ptolemy, who was wounded in the left shoulder, slightly it is true but with greater danger than that caused by the wound, had caused the king special anxiety. He was a blood-relation, and some believed him to be a son of Philip; at any rate it was known for certain that he was the offspring of one of that king’s [23] concubines. He was also a member of Alexander’s body-guard and a most valiant warrior, and even greater and more distinguished in the arts of peace than in those of war; modest and affable in his manner of life, particularly generous and easy of access, he had assumed none of the haughtiness of [24] royal origin. Because of these qualities it could be doubted whether he was dearer to the king or to the people; at all events, it was at that time that he first realized the affection of his countrymen; which was so great that in that time of his peril the Macedonians seemed to have presaged the rank to which he afterwards rose.

  [25] Indeed their solicitude for Ptolemy was no weaker than that of the king. For when Alexander, wearied by fighting and by anxiety, had taken his place beside Ptolemy, he ordered a bed for himself [26] to sleep on to be brought in. As soon as he lay down upon it, he immediately fell into a profound sleep. When he awoke, he said that in a dream a serpent had appeared to him, carrying an herb in its mouth, which it had indicated to be a cure for the [27] poison; and the king declared too that he would recognize the colour of the herb if anyone could find it. Then, when it was found — for it was sought by many at the same time — he placed it upon the wound; and immediately the pain ceased and within a short [28] time the wound was scabbed over. The barbarians, since their first hope had proved vain, surrendered themselves and the city.

  From there they came to the next nation, that of the Patalii. Their king was Soeris, who had abandoned his city, and taken refuge in the mountains.

  [29] Alexander took the town and pillaged the fields. From there great booty was driven off, in the form of flocks and herds, and a great store of grain was found.

  [30] Then, taking guides acquainted with the river, he sailed down to an island which arose in about the middle of the channel.

  Ibi diutius subsistere coactus, quia duces socordius adservati profugerant, misit, qui conquirerent alios. Nec repertis pervicit cupido visendi Oceanum adeundique terminos mundi sine regionis peritis flumini ignoto caput suum totque fortissimorum virorum salutem permittere: [2] navigabant ergo omnium, per quae ferebantur, ignari. Quantum inde abesset mare, quae gentes colerent, quam placidum amnis os, quam patiens longarum navium esset, anceps et caeca aestimatio augurabatur: unum erat temeritatis solacium perpetua felicitas. [3] Iam CCCC stadia processerant, cum gubernatores agnoscere ipsos auram maris et haud procul videri sibi Oceanum abesse indicant regi. [4] Laetus ille hortari nauticos coepit, incumberent remis: adesse finem laboris omnibus votis expetitum: iam nihil gloriae deesse, nihil obstare virtuti, sine ullo Martis discrimine, sine sanguine oram terrae ab illis capi: ne naturam quidem longius posse procedere: brevi incognita nisi inmortalibus esse visuros. [5] Paucos tamen navigio emisit in ripam, qui agrestes vagos exciperent, e quibus certiora nosci posse sperabat. Illi scrutati omnia tuguria tandem latentes repperere. [6] Qui interrogati, quam procul abessent mari, responderunt nullum ipsos mare ne fama [p. 342] quidem accepisse: ceterum tertio die perveniri posse ad aquam amaram, quae corrumperet dulcem. Intellectum est mare destinari ab ignaris naturae eius. [7] Itaque ingenti alacritate nautici remigant, et proximo quoque die, quo propius spes admovebatur, crescebat : ardor animorum. Tertio iam die mixtum flumini subibat mare leni adhuc aestu confundente dispares undas. [8] Tum aliam insulam medio amni sitam evecti paulo lentius, quia cursus aestu reverberabatur, adplicant classem et ad commeatus petendos discurrunt, [9] securi casus eius, qui supervenit ignaris. Tertia ferme hora erat, cum stata vice Oceanus exaestuans invehi coepit et retro flumen urgere. Quod primo coercitum, deinde vehementius pulsum maiore impetu adversum agebatur. [10] quam torrentia praecipiti alveo incurrunt. Ignota vulgo freti natura erat, monstraque et irae deum indicia cernere videbantur, identidem intumescens mare et in campos paulo ante siccos descendere superfusum. [11] Iamque levatis navigiis et tota classe dispersa, qui expositi erant, undique ad naves trepidi et inproviso malo a attoniti recurrunt. [12] Sed in tumultu festinatio quoque tarda est. Hi contis navigia pellebant, hi, dum remos aptari prohibebant, [13] consederant, quidam enavigare properantes, sed non expectatis, qui simul esse debebant, clauda et inhabilia navigia languide moliebantur, aliae a navium inconsulte ruentes non receperant: pariterque et multitudo et paucitas festinantes morabatur. [14] Clamor hinc expectare, hinc ire iubentium dissonaeque voces numquam idem atque unum tendentium non oculorum [p. 343] modo usum, sed etiam aurium abstulerant. [15] Ne in gubernatoribus quidem quicquam opis erat, quorum nec exaudiri vox a tumultuantibus poterat nec imperium a territis inconpositisque servari. [16] Ergo conlidi inter se naves abstergerique invicem remi et alii aliorum navigia urgere coeperunt. Crederes non unius exercitus classem vehi, sed duorum navale inisse certamen. [17] Incutiebantur puppibus prorae, premebantur a sequentibus, qui antecedentes turbaverant: iurgantium ira perveniebat etiam ad manus. [18] Iamque aestus totos circa flumen campos inundaverat tumulis dumtaxat eminentibus velut insulis parvis, in quos plerique trepidi omissis navigiis enare properant. [19] Dispersa classis partim in praealta aqua stabat, qua subsederant valles, partim in vado haerebat, utcumque inaequale terrae fastigium occupaverant undae: cum subito novus et pristino maior terror incutitur. [20] Reciprocari coepit mare magno tractu aquis in suum fretum recurrentibus reddebatque terras paulo ante profundo salo mersas. Igitur destituta navigia alia praecipitantur in proras, alia in latera procumbunt. Strati erant campi sarcinis, armis, avulsarum tabularum remorumque fragmentis. [21] Miles nec egredi in terram nec in nave subsistere audebat identidem praesentibus graviora, quae sequerentur, expectans. Vix, quae perpetiebantur, videre ipsos credebant, in sicco naufragia, in amni mare. [22] Nec finis malorum: quippe aestum paulo post mare relaturum, quo navigia adlevarentur, ignari famem et [p. 344] ultima sibimet ominabantur. Belu
ae quoque fluctibus destitutae terribiles vagabantur. [23] Iamque nox adpetebat, et regem quoque desperatio salutis aegritudine adfecerat. Non tamen invictum animum curae obruunt, quin tota nocte persederet in speculis equitesque praemitteret ad os amnis, ut, cum mare rursus exaestuare sensissent, praecederent. [24] Navigia quoque et lacerata refici et eversa fluctibus erigi iubet paratosque esse et intentos, cum rursus mare terras inundasset. [25] Tota ea nocte inter vigilias adhortationesque consumpta celeriter et equites ingenti cursu refugere et secutus est aestus. Qui primo aquis leni tractu subeuntibus coepit levare navigia, mox totis campis inundatis etiam inpulit classem. [26] Plaususque militum nauticorumque insperatam salutem inmodico celebrantium gaudio litoribus ripisque resonabat. Unde tantum redisset subito mare, quo pridie refugisset, quaenam esset eiusdem elementi natura modo discors, modo imperio temporum obnoxia, mirabundi requirebant. [27] Rex cum ex eo, quod acciderat, coniectaret post solis ortum statum tempus esse, media nocte, ut aestum occuparet, cum paucis navigiis secundo amne defluxit evectusque os eius CCCC stadia processit in mare tandem voti sui compos. Praesidibusque et maris et locorum dis sacrificio facto ad classem rediit.

  IX. Being compelled to stay there for a longer time, because the guides, who had been carelessly guarded, had made their escape, he sent men to look for others. When none were found, the desire of visiting the Ocean and going to the ends of the world prevailed upon him, without guides who knew the region, to entrust his own life and the safety of so [2] many valiant men to an unknown river; and so they sailed on, knowing nothing of the country through which they were being carried. How far off from there the sea was, what nations dwelt there, how quiet the mouth of the river was, whether it was navigable by ships of war, was divined by uncertain and blind conjecture; the sole consolation for the rash enterprise was the king’s perpetual good fortune.