Military mattersBattles The battle at Issus 333 BC

Military matters/Battles The battle at Issus 333 BC How to remember this date: ISSUS = turn the ‘s’ into ‘ 3’= I 33 U 3 = 333 BC

Albrecht Altdörfer, The Battle of Alexander (1529) [Issus]

Before the battle 1. Alexander’s army was camped at Mallus 2. Alexander Received news that Darius III was preparing for battle with Alexander 3. Alexander was excited to finally get to fight him & travelled non stop to get there. 4. Darius was prepared, ready and waiting on a good spot for fighting, but got impatient waiting for Alexander so “was easily led to adopt a course of action that he found most agreeable. ” (Arrian) so he decided to chase Alexander instead of wait for him. 5. “The worst results prevailed…meaning an easy victory was created for the Macedonians. ”

Before the battle 6. Darius arrived in Issus. There, he found Alexander’s wounded, tired and troops in need of recovery. Darius was “cruel and brutal” (Arrian), he murdered them all. 7. Alexander realised his mistake and turned back with great speed to meet Darius.

Alexander Hears about His wounded troops Being killed by Darius

►. . MY VIDEOSyoutube videos for teachingBBC - In the footsteps of Alexander (Issus & Tyre) 5. flv Reconnaissance – investigation/exploration mission

►Darius’ army outnumbered Alexander’s…. . 5 to 1. The two armies met: On the narrow coastal plain near Issus * Sea on one side * Mountains on the other side * River Pinarus between them This location suited Alexander’s smaller/bigger [you choose the right one] army And there was not enough room for Darius’ big Army to arrange their cavalry. Alexander’s mistake ended up being an advantage

The armies were arranged: Parmenio in charge of the Greek cavalry on the sea side (facing Nabazene’s cavalry). Parmenio was told not to let a gap between his troops and the sea. The phalanx in the centre (facing the Greek mercenaries of the Persians) Macedonian cavalry on the right on the mountain side under A_____’s command (against Persian cavalry and infantry) Archers and light infantry at an angle (to face the Persians on the mountain side) and to make sure that the Persians couldn’t cross the River Pinarus The rest of Darius Army had to sit in behind as there wasn’t any room for them

Archers & Light infantry Parmenio & Greek cavalry phalanx Macedonian cavarly River Pinarus Narbazanes cavalry Greek mercenaries Rest of Darius army Persian Cavalry & infantry

The battle ► Alexander’s phalanx crossed the river and attacked the Persian infantry (Greek mercenaries) in the centre. ► Alexander & companion cavalry charged diagonally to attack the Persian infantry and cavalry. They were aiming for Darius. ► Nazarbanes and his cavalry attacked Parmenio’s cavalry. Parmenio & the Greeks were almost defeated. ► The phalanx had crossed the river and were on Persian ground, but was struggling. A gap formed. The Persian Infantry (Greek Mercenaries) tried to forced the Phalanx back into the river

The battle The Phalanx came back strongly and defeated the Persian infantry (Greek Mercenaries). ► When Darius saw this happening he got scared thinking Alexander was going to kill him, and fled. His cavalry followed him. ► Alexander did not follow Darius, he knew he was still needed on the battle field. Instead he surrounded the Mercenaries and attacked ► Alexander then helped Parmenio out causing Narbazanes to flee ► All the other Persian troops followed Darius’ lead. ►

Outcomes ► Persians had low morale and were “desired to resign” (Plutarch) from any further fights with the Macedonians. ► Darius had fled to Babylon. Alexander gained Darius’ money that he left behind & captured Darius’ entire family (including wife & children). But he did treat them fairly. Especially towards Darius mother, Alexander “treated her as his own mother” (Diodorus)

After the battle of Issus… ► The battle of Issus: was successful for Alexander because he took on king Darius III and beat him ► Showed people back in Greece and in the rest of Persia that he was a successful general. ► After this, Alexander went on to the Phonecian cities and was welcomed there as a liberator, so they were happy to be free of Darius III’s control. ► Darius sent Alexander a letter asking that his family be returned. Alexander rejected Darius’ request, and demanded to be addressed as ‘King of all Asia’.