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The Mallians, realising how small the number of Macedonian cavalry was, chose to stop and fight them. Arrian estimated that there were fifty thousand Mallians at this point.{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}} As expert as the Companion cavalry was, Alexander had placed himself in a vulnerable situation. However, the Macedonians formed up and circled around the Mallians, attacking them in the flank and rear.{{sfn|Theodore Dodge|1890|p=602}} Eventually, the Macedonian light infantry came up, and the Mallians lost heart and fled to the city of Mallians.{{sfn|Arrian|1893|p=305}}{{sfn|Theodore Dodge|1890|p=603}} Alexander followed them to the city, and then rested his columns for the rest of the day.{{sfn|Arrian|1893|p=305}}{{sfn|Theodore Dodge|1890|p=603}} | The Mallians, realising how small the number of Macedonian cavalry was, chose to stop and fight them. Arrian estimated that there were fifty thousand Mallians at this point.{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}} As expert as the Companion cavalry was, Alexander had placed himself in a vulnerable situation. However, the Macedonians formed up and circled around the Mallians, attacking them in the flank and rear.{{sfn|Theodore Dodge|1890|p=602}} Eventually, the Macedonian light infantry came up, and the Mallians lost heart and fled to the city of Mallians.{{sfn|Arrian|1893|p=305}}{{sfn|Theodore Dodge|1890|p=603}} Alexander followed them to the city, and then rested his columns for the rest of the day.{{sfn|Arrian|1893|p=305}}{{sfn|Theodore Dodge|1890|p=603}} | ||
==Siege of the citadel== | |||
[[File:The ladder breaks stranding Alexander and a few companions within the Mallian town by Andre Castaigne (1898-1899).jpg|thumb|left|The ladder breaks stranding Alexander and a few companions within the Mallian town. [[André Castaigne]] (1898-1899).]] | |||
Alexander arranged two separate forces, one to be led by himself and the other by Perdiccas. The Indians almost immediately retreated into the main citadel. The citadel was substantial, with its walls a mile around.{{sfn|Theodore Dodge|1890|p=603}} But Alexander was able to force one of the gates, and made his way into the outer parts of the citadel.{{sfn|Theodore Dodge|1890|p=603}} There the Macedonians began to undermine the next layer of walls.{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}} | |||
Alexander quickly became impatient at the pace of the siege, so he grabbed a ladder and went up it himself.{{sfn|Theodore Dodge|1890|p=603}} He was followed by only a few soldiers. Arrian reports three soldiers on the wall, Abreas, Peucestas, and Leonnatus.{{sfn|Arrian|1893|p=Line 330}} Plutarch reports only two: Peucestas and Limnaeus. Either report confirms one of them dies: Abreas or Limnaeus respectively. The rest of the soldiers, nervous about the safety of their king, crowded the ladders to get up so that they could protect him. There were too many of them, and the ladders collapsed under the weight. The Mallians realised who Alexander was, and focused their energies on him. Many of Alexander's men held out their arms and called for him to jump down to them.{{sfn|Benjamin Wheeler|1900|p=458}} The King, however, would not. | |||
Alexander leaped into the inner area of the citadel,<ref>{{cite web|last=Dave|first=Wood|title=In the footsteps of Alexander the Great|publisher=[[BBC]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=862z-d53EF4&feature=view_all&list=PL6D64A7AD47C52E4E&index=27|work=The City of Multan|access-date=July 14, 2011}}</ref> where he killed the Mallians' leader.{{sfn|Arrian|1893|p=604}} However, during the fighting an arrow penetrated Alexander's lung, severely wounding him.{{sfn|Theodore Dodge|1890|p=604}} The Macedonians believed Alexander to be dead. After gaining entrance to the city, they planned to kill everyone in revenge.{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}} | |||
==Reference== | ==Reference== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||