214 HISTORY OF GREECE the Sogdians and some Scythian allies, raised much hostility of detail, which it cost another year to put down. Alexander un- derwent the greatest fatigue and hardships in his marches through the mountainous parts of this wide, rugged, and poorly supplied country, with rocky positions, strong by nature, which his enemies sought to defend. One of these fastnesses, held by a native chief named Sisymithres, seemed almost unattackable, and was indeed taken rather by intimidation than by actual force.^ The Scythians, after a partial success over a small Mace- donian detacliment, were at length so thoroughly beaten and overawed, that they slew Spitamenes and sent his head to the conquei'or as a propitiatory offering." After a short rest at Naiitaka during the extreme winter, Alexander resumed operations, by attacking a strong post called the Sogdian Rock, whither a large number of fugitives had as- sembled, with an ample supply of provision. It was a precipice supposed to be inexpugnable ; and would seemingly have proved so, in sjiite of the energy and abilities of Alexander, had not the occupants altogether neglected their guard, and yielded at the mere sight of a handful of Macedonians who had scrambled up the precipice. Among the captives, taken by Alexander on this rock, were the wife and family of the Baktrian chief Oxyartes ; one of whose daughters, named Roxana, so captivated Alexander by her beauty that he resolved to make her his wife.3 lie then passed out of Sogdiana into the neighboring territory Parajta- kene, where there was another inexpugnable site called the Rock of Chorienes, which he was also fortunate enough to reduce.* From hence Alexander went to Baktra. Sending Kraterus with a division to put the last hand to the reduction of Parteta- kene, he himself remained at Baktra, preparing for his expedi- tion across the Hindoo- Koosh to the conquest of India. As a security for the tranquillity of Baktria and Sogdiana during his 1 Curtius, viii. 2, 20-30. ' Arrian, iv. 17, 11. Curtius (viii. 3) gives a different narrative of the death of Spitamenes.
- Arrian, iv. 18, 19.
- Arrian, iv. 21. Our geograpliical knowledge does not enable us to
verify these localities, or to follow Alexander in his marches of detail.
