Background

• Left Egypt-Went to Tyre-Went to battle with Darius.
• Level and open land-good for chariots and cavalry
• Arrian-Darius has over 1 million men. Actual number around 89,000.
• AG lets men rest for 4 days.
• Parmenio advised Alexander to scout around which he does.
• AG advance at night to engage at dawn.
• Parmenio advise surprise night attack
• AG refuses-‘I will not demean myself by stealing a victory like a thief. AG must defeat his enemies openly and honestly and also so that Darius can’t make excuses for his loss. (PERSON). Arrian agrees with this decision.
• AG delivers encouraging speech.
• Darius-keeps men awake. AG-lets them sleep.
• O+O-In the morning, Alexander prayed to Zeus and an eagle came and flew straight for the Persian line.

Formations

• Alexander (Box shaped)/Oblique Angle

1. oRight wing-Companions under Philotas. Alexander on right.
2. oNext to them were infantry under Nicanor.
3. oIn centre were the phalanx.
4. oThessalinian cavalry on the left under Parmenio.
5. oIn front of Alexander were Agrianians and archers.
6. oHe had a 2^nd line of phalynx in case they were attacked from rear.
7. oOn each wing were extra cavalry (left)/Agrianians and archers (right)

• Darius

1. oDarius in the centre of the second line surrounded by royal bodyguard and infantry/archers.
2. oOn his left were 40,000 Bactrian cavalry under Bessos.
3. oOn his right was the Scythian cavalry under Mazzeus.
4. oTo their right were 100 chariots, elephants.
5. oThe back line was made of Asiatic infantry.

Battle

• Initial Persian success.
• AG try’s to move right off flat ground. Darius reacts and moved left to attack Macedonian’s right.
• Darius knows that the rough ground is useless and launches chariots but Agrianians and javelin throwers react. They also got hold of the reins and pulled the drivers down or else jump sideways to avoid them.
• Persians move left and gap opens near centre. Alexander forms a wedge with Companions and infantry and moves into gap.
• Persians pour through gap in Macedonian line but get attacked by people at baggage train-plan.
• Darius flees and Alexander chases but Parmenio in trouble.
• Bessus flees and Macedonian left defeats Persian right and victory follows.

Results

• Didn’t capture Darius/Darius was cowardly.
• Took possession of Persian things such as elephants, baggage, Darius’ shield again.
• Arrian-300,000 Persians die. 100 Macedonians die.
• Plutarch does not give much information but that Darius was cowardly and Parmenio was lacking spirit. He records that now the authority of Persia was overthrown and Alexander was King of Asia.
• Both of them discredit Parmenio.