Alexander : a history of the origin and growth of the art of war from ...

XXXIX.AORNUS. LATE WINTER, B. C. 326.This rock, the last stronghold of the Cophen barbarians, was said to haveresisted Hercules. It contained arable land sufficient to sustain the garrison.Situated not far from the Indus, it was much larger than Gibraltar. Havinggarrisoned the strong places of the country, Alexander moved on Aornus. Bypromise of great rewards he procured native guides who showed liim paths bywhich to gain a position commanding the fortress. To this he sent Ptolemy,and later with great exertion led the whole army. Between him and the fortwas a deep ravine, as at the rock of Chorienes. Having tried escalade andfailed, Alexander began to build a mound across the ravine, and in six days hadso nearly reached the fort that the enemy asked for terms. These Alexandergranted, but on their violation seized the place and slew most of the garrison.He then moved north to Dyrta, where there was an uprising ; having subduedwhich he made his way to the Indus and descended on boats, which he built onthe spot, to the mouth of the Cophen, and joined his second column. Alexander'sself-imposed duty to Greece had ended when he had reduced to possessionthe kingdom of Darius. His right to invade India was mere lust of conquest.His casus belli against Porus, whom he first attacked, was enmity between Porusand the king of Taxila, with which latter prince Alexander had made an alliance.This remarkable rock was the last stronghold of the barbariansbetween Zariaspa and the Indus, and was said to have resistedHercules. It commanded the whole country between theCophen, the Indus and the Suastos.From it a vast stretch ofcountry could be observed. The more difficult of access thisfortress, the more essential that Alexander should take it, notonly on account of the moral effect, but in order to leave hisrear secure. Such a threat to his communications, as this fortin the enemy's hands, could not be left behind, if he was tocross the Indus. No man ever looked more carefully to hiscommunications. This was the military side of the question.