Alexander moved to the south, where ancient Babylon and Susa, one of the capitals of the Persian Empire, opened its gates to him. The Persian satraps, losing faith in Darius began to go into the service of the king of Asia, as were dignify Alexander.
From Susa Alexander through the mountain passages went to Persepolis, the center originally Persian land. After an unsuccessful attempt to break the run, Alexander with some of his troops bypassed detachments satrap of Persia Ariobarzanes, and in January 330 BC. Oe. Persepolis fell. The Macedonian army was resting in the city until late spring, but before leaving the palace of the Persian kings had been burnt. In the famous legend of the fire organized hetaera Thais Athenian, mistress of Ptolemy's generals, incite the drunken Alexander and his friends.
In May 330 BC. Oe. Alexander resumed its pursuit of Darius, first the Medes, and then in Parthia. In July 330 BC. Oe. south-east of the Caspian Sea, King Darius was killed by a conspiracy of their commanders. Bactrian satrap Bess, who killed Darius called himself the new king of the Persian Empire under the name of Artaxerxes. Beth tried to organize resistance in the eastern lands, but was captured and extradited to his colleagues Alexander in June 329 BC.Oe. After the death of Darius III of his title of king of the Persian Empire legally (in the eyes of the subjects of the empire) went to Alexander. A new Hellenistic period in the history of the Eastern States.
