First there is the map on both inside covers tracing the great man's absurdly convoluted campaigns through such intestinally named places as Bactria, Sogdiana and Ecbatana. |
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By the 740s, the Arabs of Khurasan had established a presence in the Ferghana basin and in Sogdiana. |
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Spitamenes, who held an undefined position in the satrapy of Sogdiana, in 329 BC betrayed Bessus to Ptolemy, one of Alexander's trusted companions, and Bessus was executed. |
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However, when, at some point later, Alexander was on the Jaxartes dealing with an incursion by a horse nomad army, Spitamenes raised Sogdiana in revolt. |
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Thus, in Bactria and Sogdiana, Alexander successfully used his javelin throwers and archers to prevent outflanking movements, while massing his cavalry at the center. |
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