Age of the Nandas and Mauryas c9.s26.5

c9.s26.5

³ Curtius, IX, i (p. 219): Diod. XVII, 91 (pp. 279-80): Strabo, XV, 1,30 (p. 38). Here is Curtius' description of Sophytes and his sons as they came out of their capital city to meet Alexander; 'He was distinguished above all the other Indians by his tall and handsome figure. His royal robe, which flowed down to his very feet, was all inwrought with gold and purple. His sandals were of gold and studded with precious stones, and even his arms and wrists were curiously adorned with pearls. At his ears he wore pendents of precious stones which from their lustre and magnitude were of an inestimable value. His sceptre too was made of gold and set with beryls' (IX, 1, p. 220). Arrian, Indika, XVI (p. 220) cites Nearchus on Indians dyeing their beards. Some other writer cited by Strabo, XV, 1, 71 (pp. 76-7) asserts that Indians always wore white, contrary to what is said by others: he adds that they wore long hair and beards, and plaited the hair and bound it with a fillet.