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I was very surprised to not have found a thread about this in the forum, so I will create it. Given how this is one of those situations that depended on small choice that would actually be plausible for it to happen and if it did could have changed history in so many different ways. The type of stuff this forum is designed to discuss.

During Alexander's invasion of Persia he had to cross via a very narrow path known as "The Gates" that separated Anatolia from the rest of the Persian Empire.

This path could had very easily been defended to keep Alexander's army at bay and he would had likely faced incredible difficulty breaking through the defenses, possibly even a defeat. Even had he eventually been able to pass through, the resources needed to pass might had been enough to deplete him to the point he would had been unable to achieve the great victories he latter achieved.

However the satrap of Capaddocia did not defended the gates and Alexander was able to pass freely. This was so fortunate for him that he is believed to have said that he was never so lucky in his entire career.

What do you believe would happen if either the satrap decides to defend the gates or Darius directly orders them to be defended? How do you think this could had changed history?

Would Alexander still conquer achieve everything he did in OTL? Maybe he would had conquered Persia but would not be able to move further as the Persian war was costly enough? Would he had been defeated and repulsed from Persia? Would he had been capable of passing through but weakened enough that he would settled for a negotiated peace?

State your opinion.
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