Ta'xiles
（
Ταξίλης).
1. An Indian prince or king, who reigned over the tract between the Indus and the Hydaspes, at the period of the expedition of
Alexander, B. C. 327. His real name was Mophis, or Omphis, and the Greeks appear to have called him Taxiles or Taxilas, from the name of his ca pital city of Taxila, near the modern Attock. (
Diod. 17.86;
Curt. 8.12. §§ 4, 14.)
He appears to have been on terms of hostility with his neighbour Porus, who held the territories east of the Hydaspes, and it was probably with a view of strengthening himself against this foe, that lie sent an embassy to
Alexander, while the latter was yet in Sogdiana, with offers of assistance and support. On the approach of the conqueror lie hastened to meet him with valuable presents, and placed him self and all his forces at his disposal. Nor were these vain professions: he assisted Hephaestion and Perdiccas in constructing a bridge over the Indus, supplied their troops with provisions, and received
Alexander himself, and his whole army, in his capital city of Taxila, with every demonstration of friendship and the most liberal hospitality. (
Arr. Anab. 4.22,
5.3,
8;
Curt. 8.12 ;
Diod. 17.86; Plut.
Alex. 59, 65 ; Strab. xv. p.698.) On the subsequent advance of the Macedonian king, Taxiles accompanied him with a force of 5000 men, and bore a part in the contest at the passage of the Hydaspes.
After that victory he was sent by
Alexander in pursuit of Porus, to whom he was charged to offer favourable terms, but narrowly escaped losing his life at the hands of his old enemy. Subsequently, however, the two rivals were reconciled by the personal mediation of
Alexander; and Taxiles, after having contributed zealously to the equipment of the fleet on the Hydaspes, was intrusted by the king with the government of the whole territory between that river and the Indus. (
Arr. Anab. 5.8,
18,
20;
Curt. 8.14.35,
9.3.22).
A considerable accession of power was granted him after the death of Philip, son of Machatas; and he was allowed to retain his authority at the death of
Alexander himself, as well as in the subsequent partition of the provinces at Triparadeisus, B. C. 321. (Arr. apud
Phot. p. 72a.; Dexippus.
ibid. p. 64b.;
Diod. 18.3,
39;
Just. 13.4.)
But at a subsequent period we find Eudemus, the commander of the Macedonian troops in his province, possessing the sole authority: whether Taxiles had been displaced by force or removed by a natural death, we are not informed.
