Ancient Readings:
Arrian 4.23-5.29
Curtius Rufus 8.9-9.3.20
Diodorus 17.84-94
Plutarch: Alexander 57-62
Justin 12.7.4-8
Modern Readings:
Devine, A. M. "The Battle of the Hydaspes: A Tactical and Source Critical Study." AncW 16 (1987): 91-113).
Questions:
- Why does Alexander invade India?
- What does the siege of Massak show about Alexander's character and his military strategy at this point?
- What is the point of the story of the rock of Aornus?
- What is so important about the town of Nysa to the Greeks and Macedonians? How might this be propaganda, and what might that propaganda be trying to show?
- What is the political situation in western India when Alexander arrives? How does he exploit it?
- What are Alexander's tactics and strategy at the battle of the Hydaspes against Porus? How is this battle the culmination of Alexander's generalship?
- How does Alexander treat Porus after the battle? What does this show about his administrative plans?
- What are Alexander's aims following the battle?
- Why does Arrian include this long digression on geography?
- Why do the Macedonians finally stop? How does Alexander try and persuade them to go forward? Why is he unsuccessful this time?
- Why does Alexander found so many cities?