12 Facts About Bessus

Bessus managed to retain the loyalty of the Iranian nomadic groups in Central Asia, the Saka, the Dahae and the Massagetae.

Bessus later took part in the Battle of Gaugamela against Alexander in 331 BC, where he supplied Darius III with a contingent composed of Bactrians, Sogdians, Indians, as well as his Saka allies.

Bessus led the cavalry on the left wing of the Persian forces, with the intention of crippling Alexander's attack on that flank.

Together they arrested Darius III in mid-330 BC, with Bessus being chosen as the leader of the Achaemenid forces, probably due to his Achaemenid descent.

Bessus's domain encompassed Bactria, the main center; Sogdia, administered by officers such as Spitamenes and Oxyartes; the nomadic Iranian tribes of Central Asia; Aria, governed by the satrap Satibarzanes, who initially surrendered to Alexander; Arachosia-Drangiana, governed by Barsaentes; Parthia and Hyrcania, governed by Nabarazanes following his appointment by Bessus; and western India.

Satibarzanes was defeated and killed by the Macedonian forces in 329 BC, before Bessus was able to help him.

Bessus was able to muster a satrapal levy of 8,000 Bactrians, seemingly the remnants of the troops that had fought under him at Gaugamela.

At Nautaca Bessus was arrested by his Sogdian officers, who included Spitamenes, Dataphernes, and Catanes.

The extradition of Bessus took place in a village, where he had been left by Spitamenes and Dataphernes.

Bessus was picked by Alexander's officer Ptolemy, who, following his suzerain's instructions, had Bessus brought to him naked and tied up.

Bessus was at first flogged in front of the public, and then his ears and nose were chopped, a traditional Persian punishment.

Bessus was finally sent to Ecbatana, where the Macedonians had him executed.