The historical library of Diodorus the Sicilian in fifteen books : the first five contain the antiquities of Egypt, Asia, Africa, Greece, the islands, and Europe : the last ten an historical account of the affairs of the Persians, Grecians, Macedonians and other parts of the world : to which are added the fragments of Diodorus that are found in the Bibliotheca of Photius : together with those publish'd by H. Valesius, L. Rhodomannus, and F. Ursinus / made English by G. Booth ..., Esq.

14. How having taken a strong City call'd Massaga, he put to the Sword all the Mer∣cenary Soldiers that had fought Valiantly. Arrianus, lib. IV.

WHen the Barbarians heard of Alexander's coming, they durst not abide him in a Body, but brake up their Army, and dispers'd themselves every one as they could into several Cities, purposing there to stand upon their Guard.

Alexander march'd first with his Army to * 1.1 Massaga, the greatest City of that † 1.2 Country; approaching therefore with his Army close to the City; the Barbarians having got into the Town for their assistance seven thousand Mercenary Indians from the inner parts of India made a fierce Sally upon the Macedonians as they lay Encampt. Alexander per∣ceiving that the Fight was likely to be under the City Walls, design'd to draw off the Enemy at a further distance, lest when they fled (which he clearly foresaw they would) they might with ease (being so very near) get into the Town and so escape, perceiving therefore the Barbarians pouring out upon them, he forthwith commanded his Macedo∣nians to wheel about and make to a Hill about seven furlongs distant from the River Guraeus, where he had purpos'd to Encamp. The Enemy hereupon emboldned (the Ma∣cedonians seeming to give back) in great confusion and disorder hotly pursu'd them, But when they were got within the cast of a dart, upon a sign given by Alexander, the Pha∣lanx furiously turned upon 'em. But first indeed the Horse that were darters, the Agri∣ans and Archers made an excursion, and ingag'd with the Barbarians, But Alexander led the Phalanx (in Battalia) himself. The Indians amaz'd at the sudden and unexpected turn, when it came to the Swords point fled back into the City. Two hundred of 'em were kill'd in the pursuit, but the rest got within the Walls.

Alexander presently drew up his main Battel of Macedons before the Walls, and from thence was slightly wounded by an Arrow struck into his Heel. The next day the En∣gines * 1.3 being brought up to the Walls, part of 'em were easily batterr'd down, upon which (the Macedonians endeavouring to force their way through the Ruins) the Indians stoutly

withstood them, so far as that Alexander for that day sounded a retreat, and call'd off his Men. But the next day the Macedonians renew'd the Assault with greater vigour, bringing up a wooden Tower to the Walls, out of which the Archers powring showers of Darts and Arrows grievously gall'd the Indians. But yet with all these devices they were not able to enter. The Third day the main Body of the Macedonians being again led up to the Walls, a Bridge was cast out of the Wooden Tower over that part of the Wall that was broken down, upon which Bridge the King order'd the Agyraspides who had before taken Tyre after the same manner; but when with great Courage and Re∣solution they had got upon it with too much Weight, it yielded and broke, and it and the Macedonians tumbled down together. The Barbarians rejoycing at the Accident, set up a great shout, and ply'd the Macedonians with Stones, and all sorts of Darts and Ar∣rows, or whatever was at hand, or they could come at; and others issuing out through narrow Sally-ports that were placed between the Turrets, knock'd them in that Disorder and Confusion on the head. Alexander sent Alcetas with a Party to take care of the woun∣ded Men, and to call the Besiegers off into the Camp. The 4th day he cast another Bridge with other Devices upon the Walls; but the Indians (as long as the Governor of the place was alive) valiantly repuls'd the Macedonians: But when he was kill'd by a Dart from the Engines, and many of their Men lost by continual Assaults, and others wounded and become thereby unserviceable, they sent to Alexander, who was very ready and willing to spare such stout and valiant Men. He agreed therefore with the mercenary Indians, that they should take up Arms with him, and join themselves to his Army. Hereupon they march'd out of the City by themselves, and encamp'd upon an Hill opposite to the Macedonians, with a design to fly away in the night to their own Country, because they wou'd not fight against the other Indians. When Alexander was inform'd hereof, the same night he surrounded the Hill with his Forces, and put 'em every one to the Sword, and took the City (now without these that should defend it) by storm, and in it the Mother and Daugh∣ter of Assacenus. On Alexander's side there were only five and twenty kill'd during the whole Siege.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mazaga.
• † 1.2

  The Country of the Assace∣nians.
• * 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Curtius, l. 8. c. 10. says the Calf of the Leg.