Crossing Asia Minor with Alexander
‘… Alexander marched for Aspendus. Most of Aspendus is built on a strong acropolis which rises sheer, with the river Eurymedon running past it.’
(Arrian I.26.5 - 27.1)
Text used: Arrian ‘Alexander the Great‘ OUP 2013 (translated by Martin Hammond)
The Aspendians were lucky not to be killed and their city razed. Previously, they had met Alexander on the road* and surrendered the city to him with a request that no Macedonian garrison be placed there. Alexander agreed.
Now, as Alexander left Syllium, Aspendus reneged on the deal. Confident of its protection, the Aspendians took refuge in their acropolis. They thought that Alexander would send one of his generals who, naturally, would fail to dislodge them.
However, Alexander himself came. When they saw him, the Aspendians panicked and tried to negotiate their surrender on the same terms as before. Because he was not equipped to lay siege to the acropolis, the Macedonian king accepted their surrender. But only on harsher terms. Wisely, the Aspendians accepted.
Upon leaving Aspendus, Alexander returned to Perge and from there made his way to Telmissus in Phrygia.
*Just after he left Perge - No. 16 in this series
Credit Where It’s Due
Map of Asia Minor: Turkey Trex
The Second Achilles 