Αλεξανδρου αναβασις 4.22.1: From the Paropamisus to the Indus: Cophen valley, Massaga, Aornos

4.22.1

ταῦτα δὲ καταπραξάμενος Ἀλέξανδρος αὐτὸς μὲν ἐς βάκτρα ᾔει, Κρατερὸν δὲ τῶν ἑταίρων ἱππέας ἔχοντα ἑξακοσίους καὶ τῶν πεζῶν τήν τε αὑτοῦ τάξιν καὶ τὴν Πολυπέρχοντος καὶ Ἀττάλου καὶ τὴν Ἀλκέτα ἐπὶ Κατάνην τε καὶ Αὐστάνην ἐκπέμπει, οἳ δὴ μόνοι ἔτι ὑπελείποντο ἐν τῇ Παρειτακηνῶν χώρᾳ ἀφεστηκότες.

After capturing the Rock of Chorienes, Alexander went himself to Baktra, but despatched Krateros with 600 of the Companion Cavalry and a force of infantry, consisting of his own brigade with that of Polysperchon and Attalos and that of Alketas, against Katanes and Austanes the only chiefs now left in the country of the Paraitakenai who still held out against him. In the battle which ensued Krateros after a severe struggle proved victorious. Katanes fell in the action, while Austanes was made prisoner and brought to Alexander. Of the barbarians who had followed them to the field, there were slain 120 horsemen and about 1500 foot. Krateros after the victory led his troops also to Baktra. While Alexander was here the tragic incident in his history, the affair of Kallisthenes and the pages, occurred.
When spring was now past, he led his army from Baktra to invade the Indians, leaving Amyntas in the land of the Baktrians with 3500 horse and 10,000 foot. In ten days he crossed the Kaukasos and arrived at the city of Alexandreia which he had founded in the land of the Parapamisadai when he first marched to Baktra. The ruler whom he had then set over the city he dismissed from his office because he thought he had not discharged its duties well. He recruited the population of Alexandreia with fresh settlers from the surrounding district, and also with such of his soldiers as were unfit for further service. He then ordered Nikanor, one of the Companions, to take charge of the city itself and regulate its affairs, but he appointed Tyriaspes satrap of the land of the Parapamisadai and the rest of the country as far as the river Kophen. Having reached the city of Nikaia and sacrificed to the goddess Athena, he despatched a herald to Taxiles and the chiefs on this side of the river Indus, directing them to meet him where it was most convenient for each. Taxiles accordingly and the other chiefs did meet him and brought him such presents as are most esteemed by the Indians. They offered also to give him the elephants which they had with them amounting in number to five-and-twenty.
Having here divided his army, he despatched Hephaistion and Perdikkas with the brigades of Gorgias, Kleitos, and Meleager, half of the companion cavalry, and the whole of the mercenary cavalry, to the land of Peukelaotis and the river Indus. He ordered them either to seize by force whatever places lay on their route or to accept their submission if they capitulated, and when they came to the Indus to make whatever preparations were necessary for the transport of the army across that river.
They were accompanied on their march by Taxiles and the other chiefs. On reaching the river Indus they began to carry out the instructions which they had received from Alexander. One of the chiefs, however, Astes, a prince of the land of Peukelaotis, revolted, but perished in the attempt, besides involving in ruin the city to which he had fled for refuge, which the troops under Hephaistion captured in thirty days. Astes himself fell, and Sang-gaios, who had some time before fled from Astes and deserted to Taxiles, a circumstance which guaranteed his fidelity to Alexander, was appointed governor of the city.