Alexander the Great captured Darius III's family and held them as prisoners, leveraging their captivity to pressure Darius into acknowledging his authority.
Upon Darius III's swift retreat after a confrontation, Alexander was able to secure Darius' headquarters. During this capture, Alexander's forces took Darius' entire family as prisoners, including his mother, wife, and children.
Alexander's Use of Darius' Family as Leverage:
- Imprisonment: Darius' family members were kept in custody following their capture.
- Darius' Petitions: Darius III subsequently sent several letters to Alexander, petitioning for the return of his family.
- Alexander's Condition: Alexander consistently refused these requests. He explicitly stated that he would only release Darius' family if Darius III formally acknowledged Alexander as the new emperor of Persia. This demand was a clear strategic move by Alexander to legitimize his conquest and establish his undisputed dominance over the Persian Empire.
This strategic decision by Alexander not only removed a significant personal connection for Darius but also served as a powerful psychological and political tool in Alexander's campaign to fully subjugate the Persian Empire.
