ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Epic History TV The Greatest General in History? Alexander and the Battle of Issus
In 334 BC, a young king named Alexander, just 21 years old, took charge of Macedonia and led a group of Greek forces against the mighty Persian Empire. This empire was the most powerful of its time. Alexander’s army was made up of experienced soldiers, including the famous Macedonian phalanx, which used long spears called sarissas, and the elite Companion Cavalry, known for their skill on horseback. At the Battle of the River Granicus, Alexander’s forces won a significant victory over the Persians. As they approached Sardis, the capital of the Persian province of Lydia, the city’s commander surrendered without a fight.
Before moving further into Persian territory, Alexander needed to deal with the Persian navy, which had strong bases around the eastern Mediterranean. Instead of fighting them at sea, Alexander decided to attack their nearby bases on land, targeting the Greek coastal cities of Miletus and Halicarnassus. Although these cities resisted fiercely, they eventually fell to Alexander’s forces.
In the spring of 333 BC, Alexander continued his march into Lycia and Phrygia. At Gordium, he encountered the famous ‘Gordian Knot,’ a complex knot with a prophecy that whoever could untie it would rule all of Asia. Instead of trying to untie it, Alexander simply cut it with his sword, demonstrating his bold approach to challenges.
Eighteen months after crossing into Persian territory, Alexander led his army into Cilicia, preparing to enter Syria. However, the Persian king, Darius III, had gathered a massive army and positioned it behind Alexander’s forces, aiming to trap them. Darius’s army was much larger, with up to 100,000 soldiers, including elite troops known as the Immortals. He positioned his best cavalry on the right, Greek mercenaries in the center, and Persian infantry on the left.
Alexander arranged his army with Parmenion leading the left wing, the Macedonian phalanx in the center, and Alexander himself on the right with his best troops. When he saw the strength of the Persian cavalry, he sent reinforcements to Parmenion. Despite being outnumbered, Alexander charged at the head of his army’s right wing, surprising the Persians with his speed and force.
The Macedonian phalanx struggled in the center, but Alexander regrouped and led a charge at the Persian center, causing chaos among Darius’s Greek mercenaries. As Alexander fought his way toward Darius, the Persian king fled the battlefield. Meanwhile, Parmenion’s left wing held firm against the Persian cavalry. When news of Darius’s retreat spread, the Persian army collapsed, leading to a decisive victory for Alexander.
Following the Battle of Issus, Alexander captured Darius’s family but treated them well. With the Persian army in retreat, he focused on conquering the western parts of the Persian Empire. In 332 BC, the coastal cities of Phoenicia surrendered, ending Persian naval power in the Mediterranean. However, the island-city of Tyre resisted fiercely for seven months before falling to Alexander’s forces.
After capturing Gaza, Alexander moved to Egypt, where the Persian governor surrendered. In Memphis, priests welcomed him as a liberator and crowned him Pharaoh. At the Nile’s mouth, he founded the city of Alexandria. Later, he visited the oracle of Siwah, where some say he was recognized as the son of Amun, a god.
In 331 BC, Alexander faced challenges back home. Some Greeks saw him as a tyrant, and King Agis of Sparta, with Persian support, revolted against Macedonia. Alexander’s commander, Antipater, defeated the Spartans, securing Greece for Alexander.
With Greece secure, Alexander aimed for a final showdown with Darius. Despite receiving an offer of peace from Darius, which included a fortune in gold and half the empire, Alexander refused. He was determined to conquer the entire Persian Empire, believing it was his destiny to rule the world.
This fascinating story of Alexander the Great is just a glimpse into his remarkable life and military genius. For more detailed accounts of ancient history and warfare, you can explore resources from Osprey Publishing. If you’re interested in more history videos, consider supporting creators on platforms like Patreon. Special thanks to ‘Invicta’ for their contributions to this series, where you can discover more about Alexander’s incredible journey in their ‘Moments in History’ series.
Using a large sheet of paper or a digital tool, draw a map of the Battle of Issus. Mark the positions of Alexander’s and Darius’s forces. Use different colors to represent the Macedonian and Persian armies. Label key features such as the river, mountains, and troop formations. This will help you visualize the strategic elements of the battle.
In groups, reenact the story of the Gordian Knot. One student can play Alexander, while others can be advisors or spectators. Discuss different ways to solve the knot and why Alexander’s approach was significant. Reflect on how this story symbolizes his leadership style.
Divide into two teams and debate whether Alexander deserves the title “Great.” One team should argue in favor, citing his military successes and leadership qualities. The other team should present counterarguments, focusing on his flaws and the consequences of his conquests. This will help you develop critical thinking and public speaking skills.
Create a recruitment poster for Alexander’s army. Use persuasive language and imagery to attract soldiers. Highlight the benefits of joining, such as the chance for adventure, glory, and the opportunity to be part of history. This activity will engage your creativity and understanding of historical context.
Imagine you are a soldier in Alexander’s army during the Battle of Issus. Write a diary entry describing your experiences, emotions, and observations. Consider the challenges you faced and your thoughts on Alexander’s leadership. This exercise will help you empathize with historical figures and improve your writing skills.
In 334 BC, Alexander, the 21-year-old king of Macedonia, led a coalition of Greek forces against the Persian Empire, the greatest power of the age. He commanded an army of skilled veterans, including the Macedonian phalanx armed with the 18-foot sarissa pike and the elite horsemen of his Companion Cavalry. At the Battle of the River Granicus, they achieved a decisive victory over the Persian army. As Alexander approached Sardis, the capital of the Persian province of Lydia, its commander surrendered without a fight.
Before advancing further, Alexander needed to neutralize Persian naval power, as Persia had a strong fleet with major bases around the eastern Mediterranean that could threaten his lines of communication back to Greece. Instead of challenging the Persians at sea, he decided to attack their nearest bases: the Greek coastal cities of Miletus and Halicarnassus. Both cities put up determined resistance but eventually fell.
In the spring of 333 BC, Alexander continued his advance into Lycia and Phrygia. At Gordium, he encountered the legendary ‘Gordian Knot,’ which was said to be unpickable, with a prophecy that whoever could untie it would rule all Asia. Alexander simply cut it in half with his sword. Meanwhile, Memnon of Rhodes, a skilled Greek general in Persian service, led Persian warships into the Aegean and captured the islands of Chios and Lesbos. However, after Memnon’s sudden death from illness, the Persian offensive was abandoned.
Eighteen months had passed since Alexander’s army crossed the Hellespont and invaded the Persian Empire. Now, he led his men into Cilicia and was poised to cross the Nur Mountains into Syria. However, the main Persian army, led by King Darius III, emerged behind the Greek army to the north. Darius aimed to trap and destroy Alexander’s forces, which he outnumbered nearly two to one. He blocked Alexander’s only escape route by moving his army to the coastal plain near Issus, a narrow battlefield that would force Alexander to fight while limiting Darius’s numerical advantage.
Darius’s army was estimated to be up to 100,000 strong, including elite troops known as the Immortals. His best cavalry was positioned on the right, where the ground was favorable for horses, while his Greek mercenary hoplites formed the center, and Persian infantry made up the left wing. Alexander deployed his army, entrusting his left wing to Parmenion, with the Greek cavalry and infantry. In the center was the Macedonian phalanx, while Alexander positioned himself and his best troops on the right wing, including elite javelin-throwers, archers, Hypaspists, and Companion cavalry.
When Alexander saw the strength of the Persian cavalry facing Parmenion, he moved his Thessalian cavalry to reinforce him. Despite being outnumbered, Darius held his position behind a small river, the Pinarus, waiting for Alexander to attack. Alexander rallied his men, urging them to fight bravely, and then charged at the head of his army’s right wing. The speed and shock of the Macedonian advance sent the enemy reeling.
However, the Macedonian phalanx faced difficulties in the center, becoming disordered in the effort to keep up with Alexander. In fierce fighting against Darius’s Greek mercenaries, the phalanx was slowly being pushed back. Recognizing the danger, Alexander regrouped and led the Companions in a charge at the Persian center. The Greek mercenaries, threatened on their flank, fell into disarray, allowing the Macedonian phalanx to resume its advance.
Alexander fought his way toward Darius himself, who fled the battlefield in his royal chariot rather than face the Macedonian king. Meanwhile, Parmenion’s left wing was engaged in a desperate fight against the best of the Persian cavalry. If the Persians broke through, they could envelop Alexander’s army. However, Parmenion and his troops held their ground. As news of Darius’s flight spread among his troops, they abandoned the fight, leading to a rout.
The Battle of Issus was a stunning victory for Alexander. Among the spoils were Darius’s wife, mother, and three children, all taken alive and treated well by Alexander. With the Persian field army in retreat, Alexander turned to subduing the western territories of the Persian Empire. In 332, the coastal cities of Phoenicia submitted to him, ending Persian naval power in the Mediterranean. However, the island-city of Tyre resisted fiercely. Despite their brave defense, Tyre eventually fell after seven months, with most citizens killed or enslaved.
Gaza was also taken by siege. Alexander continued to Pelusium on the Nile Delta, where the Persian governor of Egypt surrendered the province and the royal treasury. At Memphis, priests welcomed Alexander as their liberator from Persian rule and crowned him Pharaoh. At the mouth of the Nile, he founded a new city, Alexandria, and later traveled to the desert oracle of Siwah, where some accounts suggest the priests welcomed him as the son of Amun, king of the gods.
In 331 BC, Alexander received news of trouble back home. Despite his victories over the Persians, many Greeks viewed him as a tyrant. King Agis of Sparta, with Persian support, launched a revolt against Macedonia. Antipater, Alexander’s commander in Greece, was already dealing with rebellion in Thrace but quickly marched south to confront Agis near Megalopolis. The Spartan army was ultimately defeated, and King Agis was among the fallen.
With his base in Greece secure, Alexander advanced toward the Persian heartlands, seeking a final confrontation with Darius. He received a letter from Darius offering a fortune in gold, his daughter’s hand in marriage, and half his empire in exchange for peace. However, Alexander, convinced of his destiny to rule the world, rejected the offer. He aimed to take the entire empire.
Research and artwork for this video come from Osprey Publishing’s extensive range of books on ancient history, covering everything from ancient warfare to modern conflict. If you’d like to help us create more history videos, please visit our Patreon page. Special thanks to ‘Invicta’ for their assistance in making this series. You can find more about the remarkable life of Alexander the Great in their ‘Moments in History’ series.
Alexander – A historical figure known as Alexander the Great, who was a king of Macedonia and one of the most successful military commanders in history. – Alexander the Great is famous for creating one of the largest empires in ancient history by the age of thirty.
Battle – A military fight between groups, often part of a larger war. – The Battle of Thermopylae is one of the most famous battles in ancient history, where a small Greek force faced a much larger Persian army.
Persian – Relating to the ancient empire of Persia, which was a major empire in Western Asia. – The Persian Empire was known for its vast size and influence, stretching from the Balkans to the Indus Valley.
Army – A large organized group of soldiers trained for war, especially on land. – The Roman army was one of the most effective military forces in ancient history, known for its discipline and innovative tactics.
Macedonian – Relating to Macedonia, an ancient kingdom located in the northern Greek peninsula, known for its powerful army under Alexander the Great. – The Macedonian phalanx was a formidable military formation that helped Alexander the Great achieve numerous victories.
Victory – The act of defeating an opponent or enemy in a battle, game, or other competition. – The victory at the Battle of Gaugamela was a turning point that allowed Alexander the Great to conquer the Persian Empire.
Cavalry – Soldiers who fought on horseback, used for their speed and mobility in battle. – The cavalry played a crucial role in many of Alexander the Great’s battles, providing swift attacks and flanking maneuvers.
Conquest – The act of taking control of a country or territory through military force. – The conquest of Egypt by Alexander the Great marked the beginning of the Hellenistic period in Egyptian history.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Understanding history helps us learn from past mistakes and successes to shape a better future.
Empire – A group of states or territories controlled by one ruler or government. – The Roman Empire was one of the most powerful empires in history, known for its extensive territory and cultural influence.
