Age of the Nandas and Mauryas c9.s10.1

c9.s10.1

Alexander himself landed with a body of picked troops and made an inroad against the Siboi (Śibis) and the Agalassoi (Agraśreṇis) to prevent their joining the powerful confederacy of the Malloi lower down the river. The Śibis, a wild people clad in skins and armed with clubs, who claimed descent from the soldiers of Hercules, made their submission when Alexander encamped near their capital. Their neighbours, the Agalassoi, were not so amenable; they had mustered an army of 40,000 foot and 3,000 horse and offered battle. They fought hard in the field and in the streets of their city, and many Macedonian soldiers fell; this roused the fury of Alexander, who set fire to the city and massacred large numbers of the inhabitants, condemning many others to slavery; a bare 3,000 sued for mercy and were spared.¹ Alexander then rejoined the fleet.