BBC - In footsteps of Alexander (the mountain) 20

In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great

Sogdian Rock or Rock of Ariamazes, a fortress located north of Bactria in Sogdiana (near Samarkand on the northern Silk Road), was captured by the forces of Alexander the Great in 327 BC as part of his conquest of the Achaemenid Empire.

When Alexander asked the defenders to surrender, they refused, telling him that he would need "men with wings" to capture it.

The siege
Alexander asked for volunteers, whom he would reward if they could climb the cliffs under the fortress. There were some 300 men who from previous sieges had gained experience in rock-climbing. Using tent pegs and strong flaxen lines, they climbed the cliff face at night, losing about 30 of their number during the ascent. In accordance with Alexander's orders, they signalled their success to the troops below by waving bits of linen, and Alexander sent a herald to tell the defenders that if they looked up, they would see that he had found his winged men. The defenders were so surprised and demoralised by this that they surrendered, even though they outnumbered the mountaineers by a hundred to one, and Alexander's main force still had no way to reach the summit. The defenders had thought that the Rock was impregnable, and with one bold stroke Alexander showed them how wrong they were. The enemy's quick surrender validated Alexander's insightful use of psychological warfare.

Aftermath
Alexander fell in love with Roxana on sight and eventually married her. The Macedonians claimed that Roxana was "the loveliest woman they had seen in Asia, with the one exception of Darius' wife". Husband and wife shared a ritual loaf of bread, which Alexander sliced in two with his sword. His new father-in-law was quite influential. The Macedonians encountered another rock-fortress 4,000 feet high and seven miles wide. Oxyartes managed to convince the people of this rock that resistance was futile, and that they would be treated honorably. The story of the siege is told by the Roman historian Arrian of Nicomedia, in his Anabasis (section 4.18.4-19.6).

Additional Tags:
Megas Alexandros Alexander the Great Makedonia Macedonia Greece Hellas Hellenistic Greek Hopelites Phalanx Cavalry War Warriors Infantry Persian Empire King Darius Iran Arab Egypt Africa Near East Tajikistan Afghanistan Mountain Hazrati Sultan Sogdia

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[hathwit7]

i love getting high and watching this stuff

[RobHorton1]

more,more,more !

:)

[DarkFilmDirector]

This mountain is really hard to find on a map. I can't find anything called 'Hazrat Isultan'. I'm actually curious as to why this host believes this is historical spot for the Sogdian fortress. I was under the impression that its location has long since been lost since the Turk and Arab conquests.

[pitineo]

hey this is Borat's native place : shitty music and shitty people !

[camomilleable11]

Yeah this Soghdian Rock located in Northern Tajikistan and connected with Uzbekistan. The Soghdian Rock used to belong to Samarkand, thats how is divided now.

[tarnopol]

@walwop Hey, just google "Story of India" in google video, and you'll see all parts for free. :) I'd put the links in here, but it won't let me.

[evaberlin]

did Alexander himself climb up the rock?

[foonty]

damn....the whole village is in the reception.....

[walkertexasranger33]

@alexandros1821 i think he meant which part

[TroyBilt007]

I love the women dancing at 3:58 and later. Simply beautiful.

[TroyBilt007]

The bride at about 3:55 is really beautiful.