"His Last Bow": Alexander the Great’s campaign against the Cossaeans in 324-323 BC

Kleymeonov Alexander Anatolevich

The last Alexander the Great’s military campaign conducted him against independent Iranian tribe of Cossaeans is under consideration in this article. Ancient written tradition data analysis shows that for the Cossaeans inhabited by the Zagros mountains in Lorestan area the use of methods of “petty warfare” was characteristic. Alexander invaded their territory in the winter and managed to take control of important mountain passes with the help of the unexpected maneuver. Later, dividing his forces into several columns, the Macedonian king destroyed the mobile units of the Cossaeans, and also captured settlements located in the valleys and foothills with food supplies stored in them. This forced the Cossaeans, who were hiding in the highlands, to recognize the power of the conquerors. It is stated that the conclusions present in historiography about the genocide of the Cossaeans carried out by Alexander should be recognized as untrue.

Keywords:Alexander the Great, Nearchus, Ptolemy Lagus, Cossaeans, Lorestan, Zagros, art of war, petty warfare.