Page:History of Greece Vol XII.djvu/203

 ALEXANDER CONQUERS THE UXII. 171 whenever he went from Susa to Persepolis, being unable with his inefficient military organization to overcome the difficulties of such a pass held by an enemy. The Uxii now demanded the like tribute from Alexander, who replied by inviting them to meet him at their pass and receive it. Meanwhile a new and little frequented mountain track had been made known to him, over which he conducted in person a detachment of troo{)s so rapidly and secretly as to surprise the mountaineei's in their own viUages. He thus not only opened the usual mountain pass for the transit of his main army, but so cut to pieces and humi- liated the Uxii, that they were forced to sue for pardon. Alex- ander was at first disposed to extirpate or expel them ; but at length, at the request of the captive Sisygambis, permitted them to remain as subjects of the satrap of Susa, imposing a tribute of sheep, horses, and cattle, the only payment which their poverty allowed. I But bad as the Uxian pass had been, there remained another still worse — called the Susian or Persian gates,^ in the moun- tains which surrounded the plain of Persepolis, the centre of Persis proper. Ariobarzanes, satrap of the province, held this pass ; a narrow defile walled across, with mountain positions on both sides, from whence the defenders, while out of reach them- selves, could shower down missiles upon an approaching enemy. After four days of march, Alexander reached on the fifth day the Susian Gates ; which, inexpugnable as they seemed, he at- tacked on the ensuing mornmg. In spite of all the courage of 1 Airian, iii. 17 ; Curtius, v. 3, 5-12 ; Diodor. xvii. 67 ; Strabo, xv. p. 729. It would seem that the road taken by Alexander in this march, was that described by Kinneir, through Bebahan and Kala-Sefid to Schiraz (Geo- graphical Memoir of the Persian Empire, p. 72). Nothing can exceed the difficulties of the territory for military operation. No certainty is attainable, however, respecting the ancient geography of Jbese regions. Mr. Long's Map of Ancient Persia shows how little can be made out. ^ Sec the instructive notes of Miitzel — on Quintus Curtius, v. 10, 3; and V. 12. 17, discussing the topography of this region, in so far as it is known from modern travellers. He supposes the Susian Gates to have been near Kaia-Sefid, v^est of the plain of Merdasht or Persepolis. Herein he dissents from Hitter, apparently on good grounds, as far as an opinion can b« formed.