Some battles go beyond blood and glory because they are necessary to send a message. Whatever Alexander envisioned for his life as the conqueror of this world, Persia was his biggest barrier. And the feats he achieved during his Persian conquest were unparalleled. These feats were more than enough to inspire his soldiers, and they made him a godlike figure in their eyes. That was by far the greatest achievement any conqueror ever had—when his army started seeing him as a god.

Alexander the great and his Battle Goals

Alexander’s ambition to conquer Persia didn’t appear overnight. It took shape quietly while he was still a prince and watched his father Philip II lay the groundwork. Philip had unified the Greek city-states and declared a campaign against Persia not only to expand Macedonian power but also to avenge the earlier Persian invasions of Greece. Alexander grew up hearing those stories and understood that the war was more than revenge because it was a path to reshape the world.

The Battle of the Granicus River (334 BC)

In 334 BC at the banks of the Granicus River, Alexander launched his first major battle against the Persian Empire. What followed was a bold strike that set the tone for his entire campaign across Asia.

Location and Initial Forces
The battle took place near the Granicus River in Asia Minor, where Alexander faced a Persian force commanded by regional satraps. The Persian army stood on the opposite bank, waiting to halt his advance, and their cavalry lined the riverbank to block any crossing.

Alexander’s Daring River Crossing Tactic
Instead of waiting for better conditions, Alexander chose to attack immediately. He led his Companion Cavalry across the fast-flowing river, not at a calm ford but at a point where the Persians held strong. The crossing was difficult and exposed, yet his momentum kept the enemy from organizing an effective counter.

The Clash with Persian Satraps and Greek Mercenaries
Once across, his cavalry clashed with the Persian nobles in a chaotic melee. At the same time, his infantry pushed through the water to support the attack. The Persians had also hired Greek mercenaries who fought fiercely, but they were eventually surrounded and defeated.

Outcome and Alexander’s Establishment in Asia Minor
The victory was complete. Persian leadership at the battlefield was broken and many satraps were killed. Alexander treated the Greek mercenaries harshly but spared the local population. With this victory, he gained control of western Asia Minor and sent a clear message that his campaign had truly begun.

The Battle of Issus (333 BC)

After advancing through Asia Minor, Alexander encountered Darius III near the town of Issus. Both commanders had been maneuvering to control the coast, and their meeting would mark a turning point in the campaign.

Strategic Movements of Alexander and Darius III

Darius moved his large army north to cut off Alexander’s supply lines, hoping to trap him between the mountains and the sea. Alexander, learning of this movement, turned back swiftly to face him. Both sides positioned themselves for a major confrontation, and the ground would play to Alexander’s advantage.

The Narrow Battlefield and Its Impact

The battlefield at Issus was a confined coastal plain with mountains on one side and the sea on the other. This narrow space restricted Darius’s larger army, so it could not outflank the Macedonians or use its full strength.

Alexander’s Charge and Darius’s Flight

Alexander led a direct charge with his Companion Cavalry toward the Persian center where Darius stood. As the Macedonian pressure mounted, Darius lost command of the field and fled. His sudden retreat caused panic, breaking the cohesion of the Persian army.

Significance: Capturing Darius’s Family and Control of Coastal Areas

After the battle, Alexander captured Darius’s mother, wife, and children, and he treated them with dignity. The victory gave him not only moral authority but also full control over the eastern Mediterranean coast including vital ports and cities, which secured his rear for the push deeper into Persia.

The Battle of Gaugamela (331 BC)

In the open plains near Gaugamela, Alexander and Darius met for what would be their final confrontation. Both sides knew the outcome would decide the fate of the Persian Empire.

The Final Confrontation: Location and Preparation

Darius chose the battlefield carefully. He ordered the ground leveled to favor his cavalry and chariots, and he waited with a massive army near the Tigris River. Alexander, though outnumbered, took his time, studied the terrain, and prepared his troops for a precise and disciplined engagement.

Massive Armies and Persian War Elephants and Scythed Chariots

Darius assembled one of the largest armies the ancient world had seen, including war elephants and scythed chariots meant to tear through enemy lines. His forces stretched far across the field, hoping to envelop the Macedonians from both sides.

Alexander’s Strategic Oblique Formation

Alexander did not face the army head-on. He extended his right flank diagonally to draw out the Persian left and weaken their center. As the Persians followed, gaps formed in their line, and Alexander waited for the right moment to strike.

Breaking the Persian Center and Darius’s Second Flight

When the Persian center thinned, Alexander led a powerful cavalry charge straight at Darius’s position. The impact was direct and chaotic. Once again, Darius fled the battlefield, and his army, seeing their leader gone, began to collapse.

Outcome: The Fall of the Persian Empire