TheUxii (Ancient Greek:Οὔξιοι) were a tribal confederation[1] of non-Iranian semi-nomadic people who lived somewhere in theZagros Mountains. They were classified byNearchus as among the four predatory peoples of the southwest along with theMardi,Sousii, andElymaei. They raided the settled people of Iran and raised sheep. The Uxii also tolled passing armies until they were defeated byAlexander the Great at theBattle of the Uxian Defile.[2] After some time, the Uxians regained independence. Some think that the tolling was a gift tradition from the Persian kings to local tribes, and wasn't forced (especially as the need for Darius to go out of his way to pay the "toll"). Greek authors may have misinterpreted the practice or spun it to makeDarius look weak.Achaemenid policy on people such as the Uxii involved gift giving and condensing tribal confederations together and then setting up a loyal ruler for that tribe.[1]
DuringAlexander's conquest of Persia, the Uxians were led byMadates. They could be divided into two groups, one which lived in the plains and was sedentary and one which lived in the mountains and was nomadic. The plain Uxianssurrendered to Alexander, while the Mountain Uxians demanded a toll. The division of the Uxians into a sedentary and nomadic component is similar to many other tribes of theMiddle East andCentral Asia.[1]
The Uxii may have come fromKhuzistan and as such are likely related to the Elymaei andElamites.[1]
The mother of Darius III,Sisygambis, was likely Uxian in origin, and later negotiated the release of Uxianprisoners headed by Madates.[1]
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