Cleophis

Cleophis was the mother of Assakenos or Assacanus, the reigning war-leader of the Assakenoi or Assacani people at the time of Alexander’s invasion . The Assakenoi were a free people who formed a sub-section of the Kambojas of Paropamisade and lived in parts of Swat and Buner valleys during Alexander’s invasion. The habitat of the Assakenoi roughly corresponded to modern Kafirstan . Since this region was comparatively more Indo-Aryan than Iranian in language and culture, hence the Assakenoi have been referred to as Indians by Arrian. Their territory stretched as far as Indus on the east with the capital at Massaga which was a formidable fortress situated not far to the north of the Malakand Pass. In modern times, it corresponds to Mashkine located between the rivers Panjkora and Kunar about 24 miles from Bajour. The Assakenoi were excellent breeders of horses as well as expert cavalrymen who also rented their cavalry services, hence they also earned the popular nickname as Ashvakas i.e expert cavalrymen. They are referred to as Ashvakayanas in Panini's Ashtadhyayi. The coins known as Vatashvaka are attributed to these peoples. There was also a western branch of the Ashvakas located in the region watered by the rivers Alishang and Kunar. They are the Aspasioi of the classical writings. They were Iranian branch of the Kambojas since the classical writers address them as Aspasioi . They are known as Ashvayanas in Panini's Ashtadhyayi.. The dividing line between Iran and India was approximately the Panjkora (or Guraeus) river . According to Paul Goukowsky, Iranian language was spoken on the north of Kunar where as Pracrit on its south.