Alexander’s Conquest of Iran

Alexander took Babylon, but left Persian satrap, Mazaeus, in control. He seized the bullion at Susa and ascended the Persian Gates, employing a night assault on the heights.

Jan.-April 330, at Persepolis, Alexander appropriated 120,000 talents bullion, but burned the palace in a drunken rage. Parmenio was opposed to this. Darius meanwhile wintered at Ecbatana. He still had the support of Media, Hyrcania, Areia, Bactria, Arachosia, Drangiana, and he had every intention of continuing resistance from the north. He had with him 3,300 cavalry and many Greek mercenaries.

In Spring 330, Alexander chased Darius III to the Caspian Gates and all the way into Hyrcania. He took with him a contingent of combined cavalry and light infantry, 20,000 men and raced directly to the Caspian gates. This required ten days of forced march, a brief rest, and then a rapid descent through undefended gates to Choarene. As Alexander approached, part of Darius’ western following and Greek Mercenaries surrendered. Alexander the put infantry on horse back and with 6000 total cavalry pursued the wagon train of Darius. When he reached it he learned that Bessus had ordered Darius to be killed and left his body at Hecatompylos. Bessus meanwhile claimed the throne as Artaxerxes V.

At Ecbatana, Alexander announced the discharge of the forces of the League of Corinth and the Thessalian Cavalry. He then offered teo recruit mercenaries at 300 talents each. He reorganized the companion cavalry to include all cavalry, including Thessalians, giving Philotas the command. From here on there would be no ethnic distinctions within the ranks. All soldiers serving with Alexander were regarded as Macedonians. He informed the army, however, that Bessus and his resistance must be defeated. The army was opposed to continuing into Parthia in pursuit. Alexander ordered that the army travel light and that the supply wagons be burned. He added Persian nobles to the officer staff, including Darius III’s brother Oxyathres. His Companions were angry but there was no focus to their opposition.

At this point Alexander also assumed Persian garb and habits. He accepted Persian deserters into his officer staff, assumed authority over Persian eunuchs (Bagoas) and wives. He seems to have been generally accepted by all factions of the Persian royal court. There was no significant evidence of revolts. Alexander then marched into Parthia to Areia. Parmenio was left behind to handle logistics from Ecbatana with a contingent of Thracian troops. All Persian treasure was transferred there. One of Parmenio’s sons (Hector) had died in Egypt, and a second son, Nicanor, the commander of the hypaspists, died fighting in Parthia. His third son, Philotas, was away burying Nicanor when word of a conspiracy reached Alexander in winter 330. Alexander, beyond Areia, learned of rebellions behind the lines, including Satibarzanes, satrap of Areia, and had to return to the area to restore authority. Fleeing Persian satraps kept moving further east and north.