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The sanctuary of Nysa

Detail of the Alexander mosaic, found in Pompeii. National Archaeological Museum, Naples (Italy). In 326, Alexander invaded Gandara, where he discovered, near the river Kunar, a town called Nysa that was dedicated to the god of excess, Dionysus (more...; perhaps, this Dionysus was the Indian god Shiva, the destroyer of worlds.) The only description of the temple is to be found in the Life of Apollonius of Tyana by the Greek author Philostratus. This Apollonius may have visited Nysa in the first century, but that is not certain. However, it is certain that Philostratus had access to a reliable source on India. Section 2.8 of the Life of Apollonius was translated by F.C. Conybeare.
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