PO'RUS m Lat.. from Gk. Epos, rt;ros)'f ?-me. 317). An Indian king, the most powerful of those conquered by Alexander the Great (q.v.). His kingdom lay in the north of India between the Hydaspes and Acesines (the modern Jhelam and Chenab), and he was a monarch of much im portance and ancient lineage. When Alexander reached the Jhelam in his invasion of India in the spring of B.C. 326, he found Porus awaiting him with a strong army on the site of the modern town of Doug. After some delay the Macedonian force succeeded in crossing the river by stratagem followed by open approach, and a fierce battle ensued. in which Porus wa wounded and made captive. When the conqueror retired from India in the following year. he left Porn-, as ruler over the lands west of the Jhelam. comprising seven nations, and iu addition made him an ally of his former enemy and rival Taxiles, probably Authhi, Raja of Takshasila. After the death of Alex ander. Porus seems to have extended his power
over Sindh by expelling Peithou, the Greek ruler. In 317 Porus was assassinated by Eudemus, who had been made satrap of the Punjab by Alexander to administer its affairs with Taxiles. The name Porus obviously represents the Sanskrit PThi rara, or member of the race of Puru. a legendary monarch of the so-called lunar dynasty. whose descendants are represented by the Sanskrit writ ings a dwelling in the north of India.
The same name was borne by at least two other kings, one a nephew and enemy of the great Porus. He was driven by Alexander from his country of Gandaris (Sanskrit Gandharal, on the left hank of the Indus. There was also a Porus, King of Madura. who sent gifts and an embassy to the Emperor Augustus. Consult 1\FCrindle. Invasion of India by A (crawler the Great (2d ed., Westminster. 1896 I.