The Hydaspes 326 BC: The Limit of Alexander the Great's Conquests

The book "Alexander the Great's Final Battle: The Hydaspes River" is the first dedicated examination of Alexander the Great's final battle and acknowledged tactical masterpiece. It uses detailed maps and 3D diagrams to show how Alexander used feints and deception to transport a select force from his army across the swollen River Hydaspes without attracting the enemy's attention, allowing his troops the crucial element of surprise. Battlescene artworks and photographs reveal the fascinating array of forces that clashed in the battle, including Indian war elephants and chariots, and horse archers and phalanx formations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 25 May 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The first comprehensive examination of Alexander the Great's final battle and acknowledged tactical masterpiece unfolded in the years following his triumph at Gaugamela on October 1, 331 BC. His Macedonian and Greek army engaged in a remarkable series of campaigns spanning modern-day Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. However, it was in the Indus Valley, situated along the banks of the Hydaspes River, known today as the Jhelum, in 326 BC, that Alexander would engage in his last major battle against King Poros. This beautifully illustrated work employs detailed maps and 3D diagrams to showcase Alexander's ingenious strategy of employing feints and deception to transport a select force from his army across the swollen River Hydaspes without drawing the enemy's attention. This allowed his troops to achieve the crucial element of surprise, which played a pivotal role in the outcome of the battle. Battlescene artworks and photographs provide a captivating glimpse into the array of forces that clashed in this historic encounter, including Indian war elephants and chariots, horse archers, and phalanx formations. Furthermore, the work delves into the differences in weaponry and armor between the opposing sides, which ultimately proved to be crucial in determining the victor. While the Hydaspes was a tactical masterpiece, it also marked the closest that Alexander the Great came to defeat, resulting in significant losses for his near-exhausted army.

Weight: 318g
Dimension: 185 x 248 x 7 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472853905