ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Epic History TV The Greatest General in History? Alexander Smashes the Persians
In 334 BC, a young ruler named Alexander, who was just 21 years old, led his small kingdom of Macedonia into a daring invasion of the massive Persian Empire. Despite the odds being against him, Alexander’s brilliant leadership and the strength of the Greek military helped him win two important battles against the Persians at the River Granicus and Issus. After these victories, Alexander moved further into Persian territory, aiming for a final battle with the Persian King, Darius III.
Alexander learned that Darius had gathered a huge Persian army at Gaugamela, near what is now Mosul in Iraq. This was Darius’s last chance to stop Alexander, and Alexander’s big opportunity to defeat the Persians once and for all. Darius chose to fight on open ground, which he thought would give him an advantage because of his larger army. The Persian forces were made up of soldiers from all over the empire, including infantry from Syria and Babylonia, cavalry from Armenia, India, and Central Asia, and even war elephants.
Although Alexander’s army was smaller, he had a clever plan. He arranged his troops with cavalry on the left, led by Parmenion, and his strongest units on the right, where he was with his elite cavalry, the Companions. In the center were the Macedonian veterans, armed with long spears called sarissas. Alexander’s strategy was to trick the Persians into weakening their center by moving his troops to the right.
The battle began with Alexander leading his troops to the right, surprising the Persians. The Persians tried to outflank him, but this was exactly what Alexander wanted. When the Persian center was weakened, Alexander ordered a charge with his cavalry and phalanx, aiming directly at Darius. The sudden attack caused panic among the Persians, and their center collapsed, with Darius fleeing the battlefield.
Despite the victory, Alexander’s left wing was in trouble, surrounded by Persian cavalry. Alexander quickly regrouped and charged the Persian right wing, eventually causing the remaining Persian forces to flee. The Battle of Gaugamela was a huge success for Alexander, with only a few hundred of his men lost compared to thousands of Persian casualties. This victory opened the way to Babylon, the heart of the Persian Empire, where Alexander was welcomed as the new ruler.
Alexander continued his campaign, facing resistance in the Zagros mountains but eventually reaching Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of Persia. Although he wanted to be seen as a liberator, he ordered the city to be burned as revenge for past Persian attacks on Greece. Alexander then pursued Darius, who was eventually killed by one of his own governors. Alexander buried Darius with honor and took control of the vast Persian Empire, appointing leaders to govern different regions and allowing some Greek soldiers to return home.
Alexander’s conquests changed the world, spreading Greek culture and influence across a vast area. His story is a fascinating part of history, showing how strategy, leadership, and bravery can overcome even the greatest challenges. For those interested in learning more about ancient battles and military history, Osprey Publishing offers a wide range of detailed books on these topics. Their collection covers everything from ancient warfare to modern conflicts, providing a deep dive into the past.
Using a large sheet of paper or a digital tool, draw a map of the Battle of Gaugamela. Mark the positions of Alexander’s and Darius’s forces, including the cavalry, infantry, and war elephants. Use different colors to distinguish between the Macedonian and Persian troops. This will help you visualize the strategic movements during the battle.
In small groups, reenact the Battle of Gaugamela. Assign roles such as Alexander, Darius, and various commanders. Use props or simple costumes to enhance the experience. Focus on the strategies used by both sides and discuss how these strategies impacted the outcome of the battle.
Imagine you are a soldier in Alexander’s army. Write a diary entry describing your experiences during the invasion of the Persian Empire. Include your thoughts on Alexander’s leadership, the challenges faced, and your feelings after the victory at Gaugamela.
Participate in a class debate about whether Alexander should be remembered as a hero who spread Greek culture or a conqueror who destroyed cities. Research both sides of the argument and present your points clearly, using evidence from his campaigns and their impact on the world.
Create a design for a coin that commemorates Alexander’s victory over the Persians. Include symbols or images that represent key aspects of his campaign, such as the phalanx formation or the burning of Persepolis. Explain your design choices and what they signify about Alexander’s legacy.
In 334 BC, Alexander, a 21-year-old ruler of the small Greek kingdom of Macedonia, led an invasion of the vast Persian Empire. It seemed like impossible odds, but thanks to Greek military dominance and Alexander’s fearless leadership, he won two significant battles against the Persians at the River Granicus and at Issus. Having subdued Persian lands west of the Euphrates River, he now headed east into the empire’s heartlands, seeking a final showdown with the Persian King, Darius III.
Upon receiving news that a great Persian army, led by Darius, had assembled at Gaugamela, near modern Mosul in Iraq, Alexander made straight for it. This was Darius’s last chance to stop Alexander, and Alexander’s opportunity to decisively defeat Persian power. Darius chose to fight on open ground, where his numerical advantage would be more significant. His soldiers had also worked hard to clear and flatten the terrain to make it suitable for Persian war chariots. Estimates suggest the Persian Army was between 50,000 and 80,000 strong, composed of contingents from across the empire: infantry from Syria and Babylonia, cavalry from Armenia, India, and Central Asia, up to 200 scythed chariots, and even a handful of war elephants.
Alexander’s army was smaller and may have been outnumbered by as much as two to one. He deployed his units in their usual formation: on the left flank, Thracian and Thessalian cavalry commanded by Parmenion; in the center, the Macedonian veterans of the phalanx, each armed with their 18-foot sarissa pike; and on the right flank, Alexander with his elite cavalry, the Companions, and his best infantry, the hypaspists. These were the units with which Alexander planned to launch his main attack. Greek hoplites formed a second line and supported both wings, which were angled back to guard against encirclement by the Persians.
The battle began when Alexander led his wing out to the right, a move that took the Persians by surprise. The Persians mirrored his movement, taking troops away from their center to outflank Alexander and prevent him from leaving the area they had cleared for the Persian chariots. However, Alexander’s unusual maneuver was a trap to entice the Persians to weaken their center. When he saw that it had worked, he ordered his Greek cavalry to charge to keep the Persians fixed in position. A giant cavalry battle developed on the right wing. Darius, judging this to be the decisive moment, unleashed his chariots, but expert Agrianes javelin-throwers took out horses and crews while the Greek infantry opened lanes, allowing the chariots to pass harmlessly through.
Now, Alexander led his Companion cavalry and parts of the Macedonian phalanx in a headlong charge straight at the weakened Persian center, fighting his way toward Darius himself. The sudden ferocity of Alexander’s assault threw the Persians into panic—the center of their army broke and ran, with King Darius himself leading the rout. However, Alexander’s left wing was in serious trouble; Parmenion, facing a huge onslaught by Persian cavalry, was virtually surrounded. Indian and Scythian horsemen had even ridden through a gap in the Greek line, but rather than attacking the Greeks from behind, they continued on to loot their camp. Parmenion sent a desperate appeal to Alexander for help.
The King abandoned his pursuit of Darius, regrouped, and charged the Persian right wing. It was the hardest and bloodiest fighting of the battle, claiming the lives of sixty of Alexander’s Companions. Finally, as news of Darius’s flight spread across the battlefield, the last Persian horsemen turned and fled. The Battle of Gaugamela was a stunning and complete victory for Alexander. According to ancient sources, he lost just a few hundred men, while the Persians lost thousands. Alexander had routed Darius’s great army, and now the road to Babylon, the empire’s main capital, lay open. The Macedonian king entered the great city in triumph, recognized by Persian officials as its new rightful ruler. Similarly, in the city of Susa, Alexander ceremonially took his seat upon the royal throne of Persia.
In the Zagros mountains, at a pass known as the Persian Gates, a courageous Persian force held up Alexander’s army for a month. The Greeks eventually found a mountain path that bypassed their position, allowing them to encircle and wipe out the defenders. In early 330 BC, Alexander reached Persepolis, the empire’s ceremonial capital. Alexander wanted to appear as a liberator to the Persians, as a legitimate successor to King Darius, but he ordered Persepolis to be pillaged and burned as retribution for the Persian invasion of Greece and the burning of Athens’ sacred temples in 480 BC.
Alexander then headed north into Media, where Darius had taken refuge in the royal city of Ecbatana. Determined to capture Darius, Alexander pursued him, but the fugitive king fled east in hopes of raising a new army in the provinces of Parthia, Bactria, and Sogdia. However, as Alexander closed in, the Persian king was murdered by one of his own governors, Bessus, who then proclaimed himself the empire’s new ruler. Alexander ordered Darius to be buried in the royal tombs of Persepolis alongside his ancestors. He then paused to organize his vast new empire, appointing viceroys to rule the provinces on his behalf and keeping several loyal Persians in their posts. He also allowed Greek troops who wished to return home to do so. Then he resumed his march east, with the goal of finding and killing the usurper Bessus, subjugating the empire’s eastern provinces, and reaching the far edge of the world.
Research and artwork for this video come from Osprey Publishing’s extensive range of books on ancient history. Every Osprey book examines a particular battle, campaign, or combat unit in authoritative, meticulous detail. With more than 3,000 titles, they cover everything from ancient warfare to modern conflict. Visit their website to see their online catalog. Thank you to all the Patreon supporters who made this video possible, and to the channel ‘Invicta’—find out more about Alexander’s incredible story 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 expanded his empire across three continents, creating one of the largest empires in ancient history.
Persians – A group of people from ancient Persia, known for their powerful empire and conflicts with Greece. – The Persians were known for their advanced civilization and their attempts to conquer Greece during the Persian Wars.
Battle – A military fight between groups, often part of a larger war. – The Battle of Marathon was a significant conflict between the Greeks and the Persians in 490 BC.
Strategy – A plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim, especially in warfare. – The Greek general used a clever strategy to outmaneuver the larger Persian forces.
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, stretching across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia.
Cavalry – Soldiers who fought on horseback, often used for quick and mobile attacks. – The cavalry played a crucial role in Alexander the Great’s military campaigns, providing speed and flexibility on the battlefield.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Studying history helps us understand the successes and failures of past civilizations.
Victory – The act of defeating an opponent or enemy in a battle, game, or other competition. – The Greeks celebrated their victory over the Persians at the Battle of Salamis with great pride.
Culture – The social behavior, norms, and practices of a particular nation or group of people. – The culture of ancient Egypt is renowned for its impressive achievements in art, architecture, and writing.
Leadership – The action of leading a group of people or an organization, often requiring vision and decision-making skills. – Julius Caesar’s leadership was instrumental in the expansion of the Roman Republic into a powerful empire.
