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Cyropolis was the largest of seven towns in the region that Alexander
the Great targeted for conquest in 329 BC. His goal was the conquest of
Sogdiana. Alexander first sent Craterus to Cyropolis, the largest of the
Sogdianan towns holding out against Alexander's forces. Craterus' instructions
were to "take up a position close to the town, surround it with a ditch
and stockade, and then assemble such siege engines as might suit his
purpose....".
Oponents:
Macedonia Hellenic League versus Sogdiana
Commanders and leaders
Alexander the Great (WIA) +Craterus (WIA)
Sogdiana - Unknown
Strength:
Macedon - 10,000
Sogdiana -15,000
Casualties and losses:
Macedon - Light-Moderate
Sogdiana - 8,000
The idea was to keep the inhabitants focused on their own defences and to
prevent them from sending assistance out to the other towns. Starting from
Gazza, Alexander went on to conquer the other surrounding towns. Five of the
seven towns were taken in two days. Many of the inhabitants were killed.
Alexander then arrived at Cyropolis, which was the best fortified of the towns
and had the largest population. It also had reputedly the best fighters of the
region. Alexander battered Cyropolis' defences with the siege engines. While
the bombardment went on, Alexander ordered certain of his troops to sneak
through a dried-up water course that went under the town's wall. Alexander also
joined this mission and once inside his troops opened the town's gate to admit
his attacking force. Once the natives saw that the town was taken, they fell
violently upon the attackers. Alexander received a violent blow from a stone
that landed upon his head and neck.
Craterus was wounded by an
arrow, but the defenders were driven off. Arrian puts the defender's force at
about 15,000 fighting men and claims that 8,000 of them were killed in the
first phase of the operation. The rest apparently sought refuge inside the
town's central fortress, but surrendered after one day for lack of water.
Accounts of how the battle went differ among authors. Arrian cites Ptolemy as
saying Cyropolis surrendered from the start, and Arrian also states that
according to Aristobulus the place was stormed and the town's inhabitants were
massacred.
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