Alexander III of Macedon, following the unification of the multiple city-states of ancient Greece under the rule of his father, Philip II (a labor Alexander had had to repeat because the southern Greeks had rebelled after Philip's death), has set out to conquer the Achaemenid Persian Empire.
His conquests will usher in centuries of Greek settlement and cultural influence over distant areas, a period known as the Hellenistic Age, a combination of Greek and Middle Eastern culture.
Alexander’s advance eastward in 330 BCE increases in speed.
Marching through the borders of Aria, a region in the eastern part of the Persian empire, on his way from Hyrcania against the Parthians, Alexander had been met at a city named Susia by Satibarzanes, who had made submission to him, and had been rewarded for it by the restoration of his satrapy.
In order to prevent the commission of any hostilities against the Arians by the Macedonian troops which were following from the west, Alexander had left behind with Satibarzanes forty horse-dartmen, under the command of Anaxippus.
These, however, together with their commander, had soon after been murdered by the satrap, who then excited the Arians to rebellion, gathering his forces together at the city of Artacoana.
On the approach of Alexander, Satibarzanes flees to join the traitor Bessus; and the city, after a short siege, is captured by the Macedonians.
Alezander founds Alexandria of the Arians (modern Herat).
Although Alexander fails to take the satrap himself, he maintains direction southward, toward Arachosia and Drangiana, home satrapies of Barsaentes, another of Darius' murderers.
Barsaentes, however, flees to India.
Towards the end of this same year (330 BCE), Alexander hears that Satibarzanes has again entered Aria with two thousand horses, supplied by Bessus, and has excited the Arians to another revolt.
According to Arrian, upon this, he sends a force against him, led by Artabazus, Erigyius, and Caranus.
In a battle that ensues, and of which the issue is yet doubtful, Satibarzanes comes forward and defies any one of the enemy's generals to single combat.
The challenge is accepted by Erigyius, and Satibarzanes is slain.
