Quintus Curtius Rufus, History of Alexander 9.4.5

9.4.5

XL milia peditum alia gens in ripa fluminum opposuerat: quae amne superato in fugam conpulit inclusosque moenibus expugnat.

Chapter IV. — Alexander subdues various tribes on his way to the Indus — Disasters to his fleet at the meeting of the rivers — His campaign against the Sudracae and Malli — Assails their chief stronghold and is left standing alone on the wall Thus he came at length into the country where the river Hydaspes falls into the Acesines, and thence flows down to the territories of the Sibi. These people allege that their ancestors belonged to the army of Hercules, and that being left behind on account of sickness had possessed themselves of the seats which their posterity now occupied. They dressed themselves with the skins of wild beasts, and had clubs for their weapons. They showed besides many other traces of their origin, though in the course of time Greek manners and institutions had grown obsolete. He landed among them, and marching a distance of 250 stadia into the country beyond their borders, laid it waste, and took its capital town by an assault made against the walls all round. The nation, consisting of 40,000 foot-soldiers, had been drawn up along the bank of the river to oppose his landing, but he nevertheless crossed the stream, put the enemy to flight, and, having stormed the town, compelled all who were shut up within its walls to surrender. Those who were of military age were put to the sword, and the rest were sold as slaves.