Sogdian Rock or Rock of Ariamazes a fortress in Sogdiana was captured by the forces of Alexander the Great in 328 or 327 BC.
Oxyartes of Bactria had sent his wife and daughters, one of whom was Roxane, to take refuge in the fortress because it was thought to be impregnable and it was provisioned for a long siege.
When Alexander asked the defenders to surrender they refused telling him that he would need "men with wings" to capture it.
Alexander asked for volunteers whom he would reward if they could climb the cliffs under the fortress. There were some 300 men who in previous sieges had had experience in rock-climbing. Using tent-pegs and strong flaxen lines they climbed the cliff face at night losing about 30 during the ascent. In accordance with Alexander's orders, they signalled their success to the troops below by waving bits of linen, and Alexander sent a herald to shout the news to the enemy's advanced posts that they might now surrender without further delay, as the "men with wings" were in possession of the summit. The defenders were so surprised and demoralised by this that they surrendered.
Alexander fell in love with Roxane on sight and eventually married her.
The story of the siege is told by the Roman historian Arrian of Nicomedia, in Anabasis (section 4.18.4-19.6).
Inspiration
Sogdian Rock along with the Battle of Thermopylae and similar actions is used in military academies around the world to show how a small group of well trained and led soldiers can have an impact out of all proportion to their numbers.
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