Alexander : a history of the origin and growth of the art of war from ...

XXXVII.ROXANA. WINTER, B. C. 328-327.Headquarters for the winter were at Nautaca. Complaints of mismanagementbegan to come in, and a number of changes were found to be necessaryamong the satraps of the provinces in the rear. Bactria and Sogdiana werenow definitely reduced, except a few rocky fastnesses to which some of the unreconstructedchiefs had retired. Oxyartes had fortified himself in the Rockof Arimazes. The march thither was very laborious, and the place seemedbeyond capture ; but it was taken by the bold feat of some Macedonian mountaineers,who escaladed the perpendicular sides of the rock, and terrified thegarrison into surrender. Here Roxana, daughter of Oxyartes, was capturedher beauty and grace led Alexander an equal captive, and he soon after marriedher. Thence Alexander moved by an equally toilsome and longer marchto the Rock of Chorienes on the upper Oxiis. This was also surrendered afterthe bold bridging of a difficult ravine. Both Oxyartes and Chorienes Alexandermade his friends and viceroys. Cratenis finished the remaining work bydefeating in battle both Catanes and Austanes. Sogdiana was completelysubdued, and the entire region beyond the Oxus was left under a freer form ofgovernment, the rulers and people being given a species of independence.Winter was approacliing. The various detachments underCcenus and Craterus now rejoined Alexander at Nauta«;a,where he had finally taken up winter-quarters, Phrataphernes,from Parthia, and Stasanor, from Aria, likewisereported. A number of changes were made in the commandof the satrapies. Phrataphernes was sent to replace andarrest Autophradates, satrap of Mardia and Tarpuria, whohad neglected to repair to headquarters when ordered so todo. Stasanor was sent to Drangia in command. Atropatesreplaced Oxydates in Media. Stamenes was made satrap ofBabylonia, vice Mazaeus, deceased. Sopolis, Menedas, andEpocillus were sent to Macedonia to recruit.