~Koschei~
Battle of Issus 333 B.C.
One year into his conquest of the Persian empire, Alexander the Great faced a massive army lead by King Darius III of Persia himself.
After capturing much of Asia minor (modern day Turkey), Alexander heard reports that the Persian emperor himself was amassing a huge army near Babylon. Alexander decided to advance southward from Issus, however King Darius III heard this and decided to advance northward and captured Issus. Issus had some of alexanders sick and wounded soldiers and Darius decided to kill them. The Persian army was behind Alexanders army but this still wouldn't help them. Both army were in a coastal plain in between the Amanus Mountains on one side and the gulf of Issus on the other. Darius had the numerical advantage but couldn't exploit it in this tight spot which was good for Alexander.
The two forces would meet at the Pinarus river (more of a stream tbh). Darius had 100,000 soldiers which included the 10,000 of the famed Persian immortals, 10,000 Greek Mercenaries and 11,000 cavalry. Alexanders army consisted of 22,000 phalangites (shorter spears) and hoplites, 13,000 peltasts and 5,850 cavalry.
The battle began and the Persian cavalry on their right charged at Alexanders cavalry on the left lead by Parmenion. The Greek mercenaries and Macedonian Phalanx would soon face each other in the center. The battle was difficult at first for the Macedonians due to the rough terrain, but they pulled through. Alexander would lead his famed Companions cavalry right through the Persian left flank and charged into the Greek Mercenaries to take pressure off his men. He would also try to go after Darius but he got away. Once the Persians knew their King was gone, they ran as well and many were killed while trying to flee. There was so many dead bodies that one of Alexanders generals, Ptolemy used piles of Persian dead to cross a ravine. The Pinarus river also flowed with so much blood that it was completely red.
The battle lasted for a total of 30 minutes. It was one of Alexanders finest battles and marked the beginning of the end of the Persian empire. He also captured Darius' wife, two daughters and mother but treated them with great respect.
The Battle of Issus is most famously portrayed in the Alexander Mosaic dating from 100 BC that was originally from the city of Pompeii in Italy, but is now located in Naples.
Battle of Issus 333 B.C.
One year into his conquest of the Persian empire, Alexander the Great faced a massive army lead by King Darius III of Persia himself.
After capturing much of Asia minor (modern day Turkey), Alexander heard reports that the Persian emperor himself was amassing a huge army near Babylon. Alexander decided to advance southward from Issus, however King Darius III heard this and decided to advance northward and captured Issus. Issus had some of alexanders sick and wounded soldiers and Darius decided to kill them. The Persian army was behind Alexanders army but this still wouldn't help them. Both army were in a coastal plain in between the Amanus Mountains on one side and the gulf of Issus on the other. Darius had the numerical advantage but couldn't exploit it in this tight spot which was good for Alexander.
The two forces would meet at the Pinarus river (more of a stream tbh). Darius had 100,000 soldiers which included the 10,000 of the famed Persian immortals, 10,000 Greek Mercenaries and 11,000 cavalry. Alexanders army consisted of 22,000 phalangites (shorter spears) and hoplites, 13,000 peltasts and 5,850 cavalry.
The battle began and the Persian cavalry on their right charged at Alexanders cavalry on the left lead by Parmenion. The Greek mercenaries and Macedonian Phalanx would soon face each other in the center. The battle was difficult at first for the Macedonians due to the rough terrain, but they pulled through. Alexander would lead his famed Companions cavalry right through the Persian left flank and charged into the Greek Mercenaries to take pressure off his men. He would also try to go after Darius but he got away. Once the Persians knew their King was gone, they ran as well and many were killed while trying to flee. There was so many dead bodies that one of Alexanders generals, Ptolemy used piles of Persian dead to cross a ravine. The Pinarus river also flowed with so much blood that it was completely red.
The battle lasted for a total of 30 minutes. It was one of Alexanders finest battles and marked the beginning of the end of the Persian empire. He also captured Darius' wife, two daughters and mother but treated them with great respect.
The Battle of Issus is most famously portrayed in the Alexander Mosaic dating from 100 BC that was originally from the city of Pompeii in Italy, but is now located in Naples.