Alexander the Great
3
Alexander the Great The Macedonian conquest of Afghanistan and Tajikistan In the spring of 329 BC, Alexander the Great's conquests brought him to the river Oxus, which today forms the border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan. After defeating Darius, Alexander pursued the royal pr etender Bessus across the Hindu Kush. Arriving at the banks of the Oxus, he was faced with a new challenge – Bess us had burned the wooden boats. Cr ossing the river s eemed an impossible task, due to its width and fast current. Always an original thinker, Alexand er was undaunted. He gave instructions that his men should sew up the hides they used for tents and use these as floats to cross the river. Within five days, they had all reached the other side. Today's travellers don't need to go to such extreme lengths to get to Tajikistan. It is an seven-hou r flight from Europe to the capital, Dushanbe, and even the mighty Oxus can be crossed each day by ferry. Close to the river Oxus, evidence of Macedonian influence can be found in the temple at Takhti Sangin. The temple architect ure combines Persian and Greek styles. Many of the artefacts excavated from this site are now on display in Dushanbe's Museum of National Antiquities – including a perfectly-preserv ed ivory head of Alexander. An i nscription on a stone altar links this site to a much greater treasure: in 1877, a magnificent collection of gold and silver objects was found here, dating from t he Achaemenid Empire founded by Cyrus the Great (559-530 BC). The Oxus Treasure, as it is now known, was sold by Bukharan traders and changed hand s many times before being b equeathed to the British Museum in 1897 by Augustus Wollaston Franks. Having crossed the Oxus and captured Bessus, Alexander took fresh horses and set off for the royal capital of Sogdiana, Marakanda (Samarkand). From Marakanda, Alexander marched north to the river Jaxartes (Syr Darya). By the river, the Macedonians were attacked by Scythian hill tribesmen, who were swiftly routed. After this victory, Alexander decided to found a city on this site. He called it Alexandria Es chate – “Alexandria the Farthest” – today 's Khujand, in northern Tajikistan. Greek coins and other artefacts have been found in the foundations of the fortress which still stands overlooking the Syr Darya. Alexander's defeat of the Scythians was not the end of his troubl es. The Sogdians, led by a no bleman called Spitamenes, resisted Alexander and occupied sev en frontier towns . Alexander divided his troops and five o f the towns fell within two days. Alexander the n moved to the largest of the seven, Cyropolis – modern Istarafshan. This city had been founded by Cyrus and was defended by a higher wall. Alexander's initial tactic was to order up the seige engines, but then he noticed something that made him change his mind. The stream that ran through the town was dry at this time of year, so there was room to crawl under the wall through the channels. Alexander and a few men entered the town this way and br oke open one of the gates to admit his troops waiting ou tside. During the subsequent fighting, the Sogdians retreated into the citadel, but surrendered after one day for lack of water. Today it is still possible to climb up to the site of Istarafshan's fortified citadel and to look down on the course of the stream that Alexander used to enter the city. Although the city walls are long vanished, their location has been preserv ed in the names of some of the city's districts (e.g. Darvozai Bolo = “Upper Gate”). Alexander now marched fo r Marakanda, which was being be seiged by Spitamenes. On his approach, the Sogdians fled into their mountain fortresse s along the river Polytimetus, today's Zerafshan river in western Tajikistan. News had come in that a large number of rebels had taken refuge in the Sogdian Rock, a supposedly impregnable fortress. Alexander advanced on the Rock in spring 327 BC. He found on a near approach t hat it rose sheer on every side against atta ck. There was deep snow on the summit, making the ascent more awkward and also providing the defenders with an unlimited supply of water. Nonetheless, Alexander was determined to make an assault. Alexander called on the Sogdians to discuss terms. He offe red to allow them to return to their homes unmolested if they sur rendered. The reply was a sho ut of laughter. They told Alexander that he would need to find so ldiers with wings. This made him all the more dete rmined. About 300 of his men had experience in rock climbing from previous seiges. Using small iron tent pegs and strong flaxen ropes, they ascended the steepest part of the rock face. About thirty men died during the ascent, falling in the snow. The rest reached the summit as dawn was breaking. Alexander informed the Sogdians that they could now surrender, as the men with wings had been found and were now in possessio n of the summit. Imagining a much larger force t han the handful of soldiers they could see, they surrender ed immediately. Among the prisoner s was Roxanne , a beautiful girl of marriageable ag e. Alexander fell in love with her at first sight and later the y were married. The exact location of the Sogdian Rock is not known, but the Zerafshan Valley remains closely linked to the Sogdian people to this day. One of the Sogdian fortresses was at Mount Mugh, close to where the Kum river joins the Zerafshan. In 1933, 74 documents Jeep Tour: Tajikistan and Afghanistan “There has never been another man in all the world, of Greek or any other blood, who by his own hand succeeded in so many brilliant enterprises.” Arrian
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Transcript of Alexander the Great
The Macedonian conquest of Afghanistan and Tajikistan
In the spring of 329 BC, Alexander the Great's conquests brought him to the river Oxus, which today forms the
border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
After defeating Darius, Alexander pursued the royal pretender Bessus across the Hindu Kush.
Arriving at the banks of the Oxus, he was faced with a new challenge – Bessus had burned the
wooden boats. Crossing the river seemed an impossible task, due to its width and fast current.
Always an original thinker, Alexander was undaunted. He gave instructions that his men
should sew up the hides they used for tents and use these as floats to cross the river.
Within five days, they had all reached the other side.
Today's travellers don't need to go to such extreme lengths to get to Tajikistan. It is an seven-hour
flight from Europe to the capital, Dushanbe, and even the mighty Oxus can be crossed each day
by ferry.
Close to the river Oxus, evidence of Macedonian influence can be found in the temple at
Takhti Sangin. The temple architecture combines Persian and Greek styles. Many of the
artefacts excavated from this site are now on display in Dushanbe's Museum of National
Antiquities – including a perfectly-preserved ivory head of Alexander. An inscription on a
stone altar links this site to a much greater treasure: in 1877, a magnificent collection of gold
and silver objects was found here, dating from the Achaemenid Empire founded by Cyrus
the Great (559-530 BC). The Oxus Treasure, as it is now known, was sold by Bukharan
traders and changed hands many times before being bequeathed to the British Museum in
1897 by Augustus Wollaston Franks.
Having crossed the Oxus and captured Bessus, Alexander took fresh horses and set off for the royal capital of Sogdiana, Marakanda
(Samarkand). From Marakanda, Alexander marched north to the river Jaxartes (Syr Darya). By the river, the Macedonians were
attacked by Scythian hill tribesmen, who were swiftly routed. After this victory, Alexander decided to found a city on this site. He
called it Alexandria Eschate – “Alexandria the Farthest” – today's Khujand, in northern Tajikistan. Greek coins and other artefacts
have been found in the foundations of the fortress which still stands overlooking the Syr Darya.
Alexander's defeat of the Scythians was not the end of his troubles. The Sogdians, led by a nobleman called Spitamenes, resisted
Alexander and occupied seven frontier towns. Alexander divided his troops and five of the towns fell within two days. Alexander then
moved to the largest of the seven, Cyropolis – modern Istarafshan. This city had been founded by Cyrus and was defended by a
higher wall. Alexander's initial tactic was to order up the seige engines, but then he noticed something that made him change his mind.
The stream that ran through the town was dry at this time of year, so there was room to crawl under the wall through the channels.
Alexander and a few men entered the town this way and broke open one of the gates to admit his troops waiting outside. During the
subsequent fighting, the Sogdians retreated into the citadel, but surrendered after one day for lack of water. Today it is still possible to
climb up to the site of Istarafshan's fortified citadel and to look down on the course of the stream that Alexander used to enter the
city. Although the city walls are long vanished, their location has been preserved in the names of some of the city's districts (e.g.
Darvozai Bolo = “Upper Gate”).
Alexander now marched for Marakanda, which was being beseiged by Spitamenes. On his approach, the Sogdians fled into their
mountain fortresses along the river Polytimetus, today's Zerafshan river in western Tajikistan. News had come in that a large number
of rebels had taken refuge in the Sogdian Rock, a supposedly impregnable fortress. Alexander advanced on the Rock in spring 327
BC. He found on a near approach that it rose sheer on every side against attack. There was deep snow on the summit, making the
ascent more awkward and also providing the defenders with an unlimited supply of water. Nonetheless, Alexander was determined to
make an assault.
Alexander called on the Sogdians to discuss terms. He offered to allow them to return to their homes
unmolested if they surrendered. The reply was a shout of laughter. They told Alexander that he
would need to find soldiers with wings. This made him all the more determined. About 300 of his men
had experience in rock climbing from previous seiges. Using small iron tent pegs and strong flaxen
ropes, they ascended the steepest part of the rock face. About thirty men died during the ascent,
falling in the snow. The rest reached the summit as dawn was breaking. Alexander informed the
Sogdians that they could now surrender, as the men with wings had been found and were now in
possession of the summit. Imagining a much larger force than the handful of soldiers they could see,
they surrendered immediately. Among the prisoners was Roxanne, a beautiful girl of marriageable age.
Alexander fell in love with her at first sight and later they were married.
The exact location of the Sogdian Rock is not known, but the Zerafshan Valley remains closely linked to the Sogdian people to this
day. One of the Sogdian fortresses was at Mount Mugh, close to where the Kum river joins the Zerafshan. In 1933, 74 documents
Jeep Tour:
man in all the world, of Greek
or any other blood, who by his
own hand succeeded in so
many brilliant enterprises.”
were found here, written in the Sogdian language. When these were deciphered, they revealed the location of the Sogdian city of
Penjikent, which had been destroyed by the Arabs in the 8th century. When Penjikent was later excavated, much was learned about
the Sogdian culture and civilisation. The city was so well preserved it is now referred to as the “Pompeii of Central Asia”. Many of the
decorative wall murals and artefacts are on display in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg and Dushanbe's Museum of National Antiquities.
Further east, in Yaghnob Gorge, the people have preserved the Zoroastrian religion of the Sogdians, and they still speak the Sogdian
language that Alexander would have heard. During the Arab invasions, many Sogdians fled into this mountain fastness and have lived in
isolation here for centuries. Today this is ideal trekking territory.
Not far from Yaghnob is Iskanderkul, or “Lake Alexander”. Many legends of Alexander
cling to this place. Alexander is said to have pursued Spitamenes to this valley, where he
destroyed a town, and ordered the construction of a dam across the river. As the waters
rose behind the dam, the town was submerged and the lake was formed. Alexander
threatened to break the dam and wash away the villages downstream unless Spitamenes
was delivered to him. Spitamenes was betrayed that very night, but escaped into the
Makshevat Gorge, where he took refuge in an inaccessible cave. Alexander laid siege to
the band of rebels who refused to surrender and finally died of starvation. In a cleft in a
rock face near Iskandarkul, there is a dessicated, partly-mummified corpse known as
“Khoja Ishok”, which some local people maintain to be the corpse of Spitamenes.
Other stories link the supernatural presence of Alexander's famous horse, Bucephalus, to the lake. One tale
tells how Bucephalus became sick after drinking the ice cold water from the lake. Unable to wait, Alexander
arranged for the horse to be cared for and moved on with his troops. Although the health of the horse
improved, it refused to move from the lakeside. One morning, Bucephalus reared up, neighed and plunged
forever into the depths of the lake. It is said that he had sensed the fate of his master, who was destined never
to return home from India. Now, at full moon, his mane can be seen racing across the waters of the lake ...
The defeat of Spitamenes and the capture of the Sogdian Rock was the end of Alexander's operation in
Sogdiana. Much of Alexander's success was due to his unorthodox methods. He was confident and daring,
even when the odds were against him. When faced with a problem he invariably came up with a creative
solution. The Greek historian Arrian often uses the word pothos to describe Alexander. It means “yearning” or
“longing”, the desire to penetrate into the unknown and investigate the mysterious. Perhaps these are some
of the characteristics of those who follow Alexander's footsteps today to explore Tajikistan.
Jeep Tour
The Great Game Travel Company can arrange a Jeep Tour including any of the sites mentioned in this factsheet, in Tajikistan and/or
Afghanistan. Please complete the quotation request form on our website for a detailed itinerary and cost.
Price Quotation
All of our tours are tailor made, so we will calculate a price for you based on your requirements. Normally we include the following
services in our quotation:
• Vehicles and drivers.
• English-speaking guide/interpreter. Please enquire for languages other than English.
• Accommodation and full board (including a dedicated cook if required) – except in large cities with a good choice of restaurants,
where we usually provide breakfast only.
Contact details
To request a quotation or discuss your requirements, please contact:
Michael Davis
16 Malone View Park
http://www.traveltajikistan.com
http://www.alexanderthegreattour.com
Registered office: 21-23 Station Road, Gerrards Cross, Bucks SL9 8ES Registered in England No. 3005307
Member of the Travel Trust Association: R9990
In the spring of 329 BC, Alexander the Great's conquests brought him to the river Oxus, which today forms the
border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
After defeating Darius, Alexander pursued the royal pretender Bessus across the Hindu Kush.
Arriving at the banks of the Oxus, he was faced with a new challenge – Bessus had burned the
wooden boats. Crossing the river seemed an impossible task, due to its width and fast current.
Always an original thinker, Alexander was undaunted. He gave instructions that his men
should sew up the hides they used for tents and use these as floats to cross the river.
Within five days, they had all reached the other side.
Today's travellers don't need to go to such extreme lengths to get to Tajikistan. It is an seven-hour
flight from Europe to the capital, Dushanbe, and even the mighty Oxus can be crossed each day
by ferry.
Close to the river Oxus, evidence of Macedonian influence can be found in the temple at
Takhti Sangin. The temple architecture combines Persian and Greek styles. Many of the
artefacts excavated from this site are now on display in Dushanbe's Museum of National
Antiquities – including a perfectly-preserved ivory head of Alexander. An inscription on a
stone altar links this site to a much greater treasure: in 1877, a magnificent collection of gold
and silver objects was found here, dating from the Achaemenid Empire founded by Cyrus
the Great (559-530 BC). The Oxus Treasure, as it is now known, was sold by Bukharan
traders and changed hands many times before being bequeathed to the British Museum in
1897 by Augustus Wollaston Franks.
Having crossed the Oxus and captured Bessus, Alexander took fresh horses and set off for the royal capital of Sogdiana, Marakanda
(Samarkand). From Marakanda, Alexander marched north to the river Jaxartes (Syr Darya). By the river, the Macedonians were
attacked by Scythian hill tribesmen, who were swiftly routed. After this victory, Alexander decided to found a city on this site. He
called it Alexandria Eschate – “Alexandria the Farthest” – today's Khujand, in northern Tajikistan. Greek coins and other artefacts
have been found in the foundations of the fortress which still stands overlooking the Syr Darya.
Alexander's defeat of the Scythians was not the end of his troubles. The Sogdians, led by a nobleman called Spitamenes, resisted
Alexander and occupied seven frontier towns. Alexander divided his troops and five of the towns fell within two days. Alexander then
moved to the largest of the seven, Cyropolis – modern Istarafshan. This city had been founded by Cyrus and was defended by a
higher wall. Alexander's initial tactic was to order up the seige engines, but then he noticed something that made him change his mind.
The stream that ran through the town was dry at this time of year, so there was room to crawl under the wall through the channels.
Alexander and a few men entered the town this way and broke open one of the gates to admit his troops waiting outside. During the
subsequent fighting, the Sogdians retreated into the citadel, but surrendered after one day for lack of water. Today it is still possible to
climb up to the site of Istarafshan's fortified citadel and to look down on the course of the stream that Alexander used to enter the
city. Although the city walls are long vanished, their location has been preserved in the names of some of the city's districts (e.g.
Darvozai Bolo = “Upper Gate”).
Alexander now marched for Marakanda, which was being beseiged by Spitamenes. On his approach, the Sogdians fled into their
mountain fortresses along the river Polytimetus, today's Zerafshan river in western Tajikistan. News had come in that a large number
of rebels had taken refuge in the Sogdian Rock, a supposedly impregnable fortress. Alexander advanced on the Rock in spring 327
BC. He found on a near approach that it rose sheer on every side against attack. There was deep snow on the summit, making the
ascent more awkward and also providing the defenders with an unlimited supply of water. Nonetheless, Alexander was determined to
make an assault.
Alexander called on the Sogdians to discuss terms. He offered to allow them to return to their homes
unmolested if they surrendered. The reply was a shout of laughter. They told Alexander that he
would need to find soldiers with wings. This made him all the more determined. About 300 of his men
had experience in rock climbing from previous seiges. Using small iron tent pegs and strong flaxen
ropes, they ascended the steepest part of the rock face. About thirty men died during the ascent,
falling in the snow. The rest reached the summit as dawn was breaking. Alexander informed the
Sogdians that they could now surrender, as the men with wings had been found and were now in
possession of the summit. Imagining a much larger force than the handful of soldiers they could see,
they surrendered immediately. Among the prisoners was Roxanne, a beautiful girl of marriageable age.
Alexander fell in love with her at first sight and later they were married.
The exact location of the Sogdian Rock is not known, but the Zerafshan Valley remains closely linked to the Sogdian people to this
day. One of the Sogdian fortresses was at Mount Mugh, close to where the Kum river joins the Zerafshan. In 1933, 74 documents
Jeep Tour:
man in all the world, of Greek
or any other blood, who by his
own hand succeeded in so
many brilliant enterprises.”
were found here, written in the Sogdian language. When these were deciphered, they revealed the location of the Sogdian city of
Penjikent, which had been destroyed by the Arabs in the 8th century. When Penjikent was later excavated, much was learned about
the Sogdian culture and civilisation. The city was so well preserved it is now referred to as the “Pompeii of Central Asia”. Many of the
decorative wall murals and artefacts are on display in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg and Dushanbe's Museum of National Antiquities.
Further east, in Yaghnob Gorge, the people have preserved the Zoroastrian religion of the Sogdians, and they still speak the Sogdian
language that Alexander would have heard. During the Arab invasions, many Sogdians fled into this mountain fastness and have lived in
isolation here for centuries. Today this is ideal trekking territory.
Not far from Yaghnob is Iskanderkul, or “Lake Alexander”. Many legends of Alexander
cling to this place. Alexander is said to have pursued Spitamenes to this valley, where he
destroyed a town, and ordered the construction of a dam across the river. As the waters
rose behind the dam, the town was submerged and the lake was formed. Alexander
threatened to break the dam and wash away the villages downstream unless Spitamenes
was delivered to him. Spitamenes was betrayed that very night, but escaped into the
Makshevat Gorge, where he took refuge in an inaccessible cave. Alexander laid siege to
the band of rebels who refused to surrender and finally died of starvation. In a cleft in a
rock face near Iskandarkul, there is a dessicated, partly-mummified corpse known as
“Khoja Ishok”, which some local people maintain to be the corpse of Spitamenes.
Other stories link the supernatural presence of Alexander's famous horse, Bucephalus, to the lake. One tale
tells how Bucephalus became sick after drinking the ice cold water from the lake. Unable to wait, Alexander
arranged for the horse to be cared for and moved on with his troops. Although the health of the horse
improved, it refused to move from the lakeside. One morning, Bucephalus reared up, neighed and plunged
forever into the depths of the lake. It is said that he had sensed the fate of his master, who was destined never
to return home from India. Now, at full moon, his mane can be seen racing across the waters of the lake ...
The defeat of Spitamenes and the capture of the Sogdian Rock was the end of Alexander's operation in
Sogdiana. Much of Alexander's success was due to his unorthodox methods. He was confident and daring,
even when the odds were against him. When faced with a problem he invariably came up with a creative
solution. The Greek historian Arrian often uses the word pothos to describe Alexander. It means “yearning” or
“longing”, the desire to penetrate into the unknown and investigate the mysterious. Perhaps these are some
of the characteristics of those who follow Alexander's footsteps today to explore Tajikistan.
Jeep Tour
The Great Game Travel Company can arrange a Jeep Tour including any of the sites mentioned in this factsheet, in Tajikistan and/or
Afghanistan. Please complete the quotation request form on our website for a detailed itinerary and cost.
Price Quotation
All of our tours are tailor made, so we will calculate a price for you based on your requirements. Normally we include the following
services in our quotation:
• Vehicles and drivers.
• English-speaking guide/interpreter. Please enquire for languages other than English.
• Accommodation and full board (including a dedicated cook if required) – except in large cities with a good choice of restaurants,
where we usually provide breakfast only.
Contact details
To request a quotation or discuss your requirements, please contact:
Michael Davis
16 Malone View Park
http://www.traveltajikistan.com
http://www.alexanderthegreattour.com
Registered office: 21-23 Station Road, Gerrards Cross, Bucks SL9 8ES Registered in England No. 3005307
Member of the Travel Trust Association: R9990
