Battles of Alexander the Great

Battles of Alexander the Great
Granicus
Issus
334 BC
BATTLE OF GRANICUS
Why Granicus?
Alexander’s motive was to free the Greek
City States of Asia Minor.
 The Persian army had not arrived in time
to prevent Alexander’s crossing of the
Hellespont.
 The Persians were camped at Zelia and
Alexander advanced to meet them.

Granicus
The River provided a defensive moat for the
Persian forces.
 Alexander advanced over easy terrain.
 Messages came through to the Macedonians
that the Persians were drawn up in battle
lines across the river.
 Alexander deployed his forces as they
approached the river.

◦ Parmenio suggested a waiting policy and to camp
over night with the craggy cliffs providing a good
barrier.
Granicus
Granicus - Tactics

Based on
comparatively static
phalanx (Φαλανξ) and
the fast cavalry.
◦ The cavalry reached out
to encircle the enemy.
◦ Hammer and Anvil

Using the cover of the
bank, trees and bend in
the river, Alexander
crossed over and
attacked the rear.
Granicus - Tactics


There was a worry
that the Asiatic cavalry
would cross the river
and attack the left
wing under Parmenio
and the baggage camp.
It is thought Parmenio
was told to hold the
position until the
centre of the
Macedonian force had
absorbed the Persian
threat.
Granicus - Tactics


The central attack was
led by the Paeonian
and Socratic cavalry
with a pincer
movement from the
companions and
archers.
The Macedonian losses
were significant with
Memnon’s heavy
cavalry and infantry
inflicting great damage.
Granicus - Tactics

The Persians sent in
cavalry to support
the left wing under
Alexander’s attack
which weakened the
centre, allowing the
Macedonians to
cross the river with
relative ease.
Granicus - Tactics



Mithridates and
Spithridates were
killed and the Persian
left wing fell apart.
Alexander divided the
forces of Persians and
they fled.
The Greek
mercenaries retreated
to a defensible high
ground but were
surrounded and
annihilated.
Granicus - Outcomes
The captured Greek mercenaries were
returned to Macedon as prisoners.
 Athens received a tribute of arms and spoils
to be placed in the temple.
 Zelia was forgiven for harbouring the enemy.
 Other centres opened their doors to
Alexander’s officers.
 Alexander then proceeded south and
entered Sardis, the ancient Lydian capital
from which the Greek cities were
controlled.

After Granicus
Many of the Persian centres welcomed Alexander.
 Some of the Greek cities on the Aegean varied in
their response:

◦
◦
◦
◦

Ephesus surrendered easily.
Miletus resisted with force.
Magnesia and Tralles yielded
Halicarnassus was aided by Memnon but fell and
Memnon fled again.
Alexander then travelled to Gordium and whilst
there, Memnon died.
◦ This was the impetus required for Darius to take the
field of battle.
November 333 BC
BATTLE OF ISSUS
Before the Battle
Both Alexander and Darius were keen to
meet on the battlefield.
 Alexander heard Darius was encamped to
the east of the Syrian Gates; he marched
non-stop to meet him.
 Darius bypassed Alexander and found the
sick and wounded camped at Issus – none
were left alive!

The Great Mistake…
Realising his mistake,
Alexander turned
back north.
 He reached the
south banks of the
Pinarus River where
he made camp.


See reader
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The Greek forces camped
in the mountain pass.
Moved along the narrow
coastal strip.
As the plain widened,
some deployment was
available.
At full deployment with
the right wing on the low
hills.
Cavalry and archers drive
off the flanking threat.
Persian positions were in
solid defensive formation.
Phases of Battle

Darius stood firm behind the Pinarus
River.
Phases of Battle


Alexander advanced towards the river
slowly.
At missile range he charged.
◦ Companions going through the river into the
cardaces (Oriental Hoplites).
The mountain-side cavalry attacked the
Persian light infantry
 Alexander pushed through toward Darius
 Persian forces pushed across the river on
their right flank and attacked Parmenio on
the sea side.

◦ He held firm and kept them at bay.
Phases of Battle

The Persians did manage to effectively
disrupt the Greek phalanx:
◦ The left was unable to climb the river bank
and was held back
◦ The right advanced

The Greek mercenaries poured into the
gap.
Phases of Battle
Alexander continued and managed to
push closer to Darius.
 The two fought hard.
 The Persians could not cope with the
Greek sarissa (pike).
 Darius, close to capture, fled the battle
field.

◦ His troops were demoralised and began to
withdraw.
Phases of Battle




Alexander did not follow Darius to begin
with.
His forces came up behind the Greek
mercenaries, surrounded them and allowed
the Phalanx to reform.
The mercenaries were driven back and upon
realising that the other Persians were
deserting, they ran.
On the sea side, Parmenio attacked the
Persian cavalry and drove them into the
phalanx and they were decimated.
What the @#$% happened?
Darius’ large army did not function well in
the cramped geographic conditions.
 Alexander’s weaponry was superior
(sarissa).
 Darius fled despite much of his forces
actually succeeding.

Why was this victory significant?

At their first meeting, Alexander defeated
Darius.
◦
◦
◦
◦

Darius had the larger army.
The defeat demoralised the Persians.
Alexander gained glory and support.
Greek rebels were disillusioned with Darius.
The Persian fleet, stationed in the Eastern
Mediterranean disbanded and fled after
hearing of their defeat at Issus. This
liberated the coast from Persian domination.
Why was this victory significant?

Alexander annexed Darius’ baggage train
and captured considerable treasure.
◦ Arrian says 3000 talents or 18000 Drachma
◦ 1 Dr = a skilled worker’s daily pay.

Darius’ Persian family was captured – his
daughters, wife, mother and other
noblewomen.
◦ Alexander refused their return but treated them
as his own.

This battle was the completion of the
‘liberation’ of Asia Minor. Alexander could
now move south.
DARIUS’ REQUESTS…
Arrian’s Version

Darius’ messenger brought a
letter to Alexander asking for
the return of the royal and
noble Persian ladies. Darius
did not offer ransom or make
any territorial concessions at
this stage. Offered to treat
Alexander as a friend and ally.
A significant offer for Darius,
since the Great King was, in
theory, superior to all. Darius
also blamed Philip for starting
the war.
Diodorus’ Version

Darius did offer ransom
and the lands already
captured by Alexander. The
arrogant tone of the letter
suggests it was forged by
Alexander, who had
decided not to return the
Persian ladies. Alexander
rewrote the letter to make
Darius appear even worse,
gaining support for his
decision to keep the ladies.
Darius requested the return of
his family.
Darius’ 1st Request…

Whichever account is accurate, Alexander’s
response was totally uncompromising:
◦ Rejected Darius’ offer of friendship
◦ Demanded to be called ‘king of Asia’
◦ Would only talk to Darius if he came as subject
not equal.
◦ Blamed the Persians for all hostilities.
◦ Claimed he was the avenger of Persian wrongs.
◦ Accused Darius of procuring the murder of Philip
and stirring trouble in Greece.

This response worked for Alexander by
justifying his continued campaign.
Darius’ 2nd Request…

A 2nd request came during the siege of Tyre. He
offered:
◦ 10,000 talents for his family and all territory west of
the Euphrates.
◦ Proposed an alliance and a marriage between
Alexander and Barsine (his daughter).

Alexander rejected the offer. His reply:
◦ The country and its treasures were already his.
◦ If he wanted to marry Barsine, he did not need
Darius’ permission.

All of the women never returned to Darius and
were treated as women of a royal court, including
education, marriages and dowries.