Alexander’s Deadly Gamble at the Mallian City
Alexander the Great once jumped alone into an enemy city—and caught an arrow straight through his lung.
Unknown — "Bowl" (200–1 BCE), CC0
Alexander leaps first.
In 325 BC, while besieging the Mallian city in India, Alexander grew impatient. He grabbed a ladder, vaulted the walls alone, and found himself surrounded by enemy soldiers. His men, stunned, scrambled to follow but got stuck when the ladders shattered behind him.
An arrow through the chest.
Cornered, Alexander fought fiercely but took an arrow deep into his chest—so deep he reportedly choked on blood. His frantic companions finally broke through, pulling him out as his bodyguards shielded him with their own. For days, rumors of his death sent shockwaves through the camp and beyond.
A king who would not die.
Miraculously, Alexander survived. Word of his recovery electrified his army—and terrified his enemies. But the wound would haunt him for life, a quiet reminder that even the greatest conquerors bleed.
Alexander’s recklessness nearly killed him, stunning both his enemies and his own men. His survival became a rallying cry—but his body was never quite the same.
