Question

alexander pitched camp on the bank of the hydaspes (\hay - das - pees\), and porus was to be seen on the other bank with his whole army and his force of elephants. he realized that he could not cross at the point where porus was encamped - his elephants were too numerous.... when alexander saw this, he decided to move his troops in all different directions so that porus would keep puzzled.... at night he would take most of his cavalry to various points along the river bank where he would create a clamour, raise the war cry and produce all other such noises as would come from men preparing to cross the river. porus would actually parallel his movements on the other side, leading his elephants toward the shouting, and alexander got him into the habit of making these corresponding movements. this actually went on for quite a long time until porus no longer reacted. editors note: arrian then writes that alexander, leaving 5,000 armed men in full view opposite poruss camp, led a force exceeding 10,000 foot soldiers, archers, and cavalry and crossed the river about ten miles upstream. rafts for ferrying the men were made from hides wrapped around hay and sewn watertight. the crossing was further hidden by a midnight thunderstorm. too late to stop the crossing, porus arranged his army on a nearby plain and prepared for battle. the narrative continues: the engagement was... unlike any other previous battles.... poruss elephants were now boxed in, and the damage inflicted by them fell on friend no less than foe, with men trampled under as the beasts twisted and turned.... most of the drivers of the elephants, too, had been brought down by spears.... eventually the animals grew tired and their charges lost vigor.... alexander then threw his cavalry in a circle around the entire force, and ordered the infantry to lock shields, to group tightly and to advance as a phalanx.... at this juncture,... the indians all took to flight. document analysis 1. where is the hydaspes river? 2. explain how alexanders army was able to cross the hydaspes before porus was able to react. 3. how was alexander able to turn poruss elephants into a kind of weapon? 4. how can you use this document to argue that alexander was great? 5. how can you use this document to argue that alexander was not great?

Explanation:

1. The Hydaspes River is in the Punjab region of modern - day Pakistan. It was a significant geographical feature during Alexander's campaigns.
2. Alexander moved his troops in different directions to confuse Porus. At night, he took most of his cavalry to various points along the river, creating noise to make Porus think he was crossing everywhere. A midnight thunder - storm also helped to hide the actual crossing which was made about ten miles upstream using rafts made from hides wrapped around hay.
3. The elephants became a weapon against Porus' own army when they were boxed in. The damage they inflicted fell on friend and foe alike as they trampled men while twisting and turning. Many of their drivers were brought down by spears, and as they grew tired, their charges lost vigor, causing chaos in Porus' ranks.
4. Alexander was great as he showed strategic brilliance. He out - maneuvered Porus by confusing him with false movements and successfully crossed the river under difficult circumstances. He also exploited the situation with Porus' elephants to turn them into a liability for the enemy.
5. One could argue Alexander was not great as he had to use deception and the cover of a thunder - storm to cross the river. His actions led to a battle that caused great destruction and loss of life, and he may have resorted to underhanded tactics rather than facing Porus directly in an open - field confrontation.

Answer:

1. In the Punjab region of modern - day Pakistan.
2. He confused Porus with false movements, created noise at night, and used a thunder - storm for cover while crossing upstream using rafts.
3. By boxing them in, causing them to trample friend and foe, and bringing down their drivers.
4. He showed strategic brilliance in out - maneuvering Porus and exploiting the enemy's resources.
5. He used deception and underhanded tactics and caused great destruction in battle.