Page:Ancient India as described by Megasthenês and Arrian.djvu/176

157 . Fragm. LVII. Polyeen. Strateg. 1. 1. 1-8. Of Dionysos. (Of. Bpit. 25 et aeq.) Dionysos, in his expedition against the Indians, in order that the cities might receive him will- ingly, disguised the arms with which he had equipped his troops, and made them wear soft raiment and fawn-skins. The spears were wrapped round with ivy, and the thyrsus had a sharp point. He gave the signal for hattle by cymbab and drums instead of the trumpet, and by regaling the enemy with wine diverted their thoughts from war to dancing. These and all other Bacchic orgies were employed in the system of warfare by which he subjugated the Indians and all the rest of Asia. Dionysos, iii the course of his Indian cam- paign, seeing that his army could not endure the fiery heat of the air, took forcible possession of the three-peaked mountain of India. Of these peaks one is called Korasibi^, another KondaskS, but to the third he himself gave the name of M d r s, in remembrance of his birth. Thereon were many fountains of water sweet to drink, game in great plenty, tree-fruits in unsparing profusion, and snows which gave new vigour to the frame. The troops quartered there made a sudden descent upon the barbarians of the plain, whom they easily routed, since they attacked them vdth missiles from a commanding position on the heights above. Digitized by Google