Domitius Domitianus vs Spitamenes

Emperor Diocletian personally led a campaign to suppress the rebellion, besieging Domitius Domitianus in Alexandria. The siege lasted several months, causing severe hardship for the city's population.

Domitius Domitianus was declared emperor in Alexandria, leading a rebellion against Emperor Diocletian. The revolt exploited local discontent with Roman tax reforms and Diocletian's administrative reorganization.

Domitius Domitianus died during Diocletian's siege of Alexandria, likely from illness or in battle. His death ended his brief usurpation, though his corrector Aurelius Achilleus continued the revolt for several more months.

Spitamenes ambushed and destroyed a Macedonian force under Pharnuches near the Polytimetus River. This was Alexander's first major defeat in Central Asia, killing over 2,000 soldiers and forcing Alexander to change his strategy.

Spitamenes besieged the Macedonian garrison at Maracanda (Samarkand). Alexander sent a relief force which Spitamenes defeated, but the siege was eventually lifted when Alexander approached with his main army.

Spitamenes led a sustained guerrilla campaign against Alexander's forces in Sogdiana and Bactria. He used hit-and-run tactics, cavalry raids, and local support to harass Macedonian supply lines and garrisons for over a year.

Spitamenes was betrayed by his own Sogdian and Massagetae allies, who cut off his head and sent it to Alexander as a peace offering. His death ended organized resistance in Sogdiana, allowing Alexander to consolidate control.