Alexander Defeats the Persians at Granicus

May 334 BC - Alexander the Great wins his first major victory over the Persian Empire when his army routs a 24,000-man Persian force at the Battle of Granicus. Marching east from Greece, Alexander and his 47,000 men encountered the Persians along the banks of the Granicus River near the site of Troy. Moving into battle formation, Alexander placed his infantry in the center of the line with his cavalry on the wings. The Persians lined up with their cavalry in front and a body of infantry, consisting of Persians and Greek mercenaries, to the rear.

The battle opened with a feint from the Macedonian left consisting of cavalry and light infantry. As the Persians shifted their forces to meet this advance, Alexander charged forward with his Companions (heavy cavalry) and broke the weakened center of the Persian line. The Persians counterattacked and the young Macedonian king was stunned by a blow from an axe. As the attacker moved in for the kill, he was cut down by Cleitus the Black. Alexander quickly recovered and turned the Companions' attack to the left to roll up the Persian line. This move, combined with a general advance from the Macedonian army destroyed the resolve of the Persians and their forces broke, fleeing the field. When the fighting ended, Alexander had suffered approximately 350 killed as opposed to 4,000 on the Persian side. He would meet the Persians again at Issus (333 BC) and Gaugamela (331 BC) defeating them on both occasions.

Photograph Courtesy of common.wikimedia.org