After some spectacular campaigning in Persis proper, Alexander occupied the 'link_id=110')">
palace of Persepolis, where the strong defensive
position known as the “Persian Gates” was taken only after an unsuccessful and costly initial assault. The 'link_id=110')">
palace of Persepolis was looted and burned (spring 330). The less creditable tradition of the vulgate maintains that the fire started when a drunken Athenian courtesan called Thais led a revel that got out of hand, and this may well be right. The event, however, could be exploited afterward as a signal to dissident Greeks at home that the “war of revenge” was complete.