King Porus

Poros ( Puru; † 317 BC) was a powerful Indian king, v. the late 4th century BC ruled the Principality of Paurava between the rivers Jhelum and Ravi.

Poros was defeated in 326 BC by the Macedonians had penetrated to India, King Alexander the Great in the Battle of the Hydaspes where Alexander had received support from Poros ' nemesis Taxiles. But the great bravery of the wounded during the fighting Poros was recognized even at its opponents. Alexander became reconciled with him, Reserve left him in his government and added to his empire even more destinations to. In return, Poros was a loyal clientele king, in the conference of Triparadeisos 320 BC (or already 321 BC) even the most eastern part of Alexander's empire was awarded. Poros was 317 BC killed as a result of the turmoil of the Diadokhian from the Macedonian military strategists Eudemos. Otto Stein assumed, however, that statements were reversed to Poros and Taxiles in the sources; therefore was murdered 317 BC not Poros, but Taxiles.

The story has been described variously in ancient times, including Quintus Curtius Rufus of. The most famous recent editing is Alessandro nell'Indie ( 1729 ) by Pietro Metastasio, which was set to music by many composers of the 18th century, including Leonardo da Vinci and Johann Adolf Hasse. This libretto is also the basis for the opera Poro (HWV 28) by George Frideric Handel.