In the city of Gordium in the west of Anatolia, cut the Gordian Knot with the sword; The knot that, according to the prophets, could have ruled all Asia.
In all these early stages, Alexander used a combination of military skills, political strategy and symbolic practices to gain control of Anatolia. His victories in Granicus and subsequent siege provided the foundations of deeper influence on the Achaemenid territory and showed how a relatively small but very efficient force could stand against a large empire.
Photographer: Jean Simon Barthlemy / Wikimedia
Asus and Goghmal battles
The battles of Asus and Gaugamela were two fateful confrontations that consolidated the conquest of the Achaemenid Imperial Imperial by Alexander.
The Asus battle, which took place in November 2008, was the first direct collision between Alexander and Darius III. After Alexander’s victory over the Granicos River, Darius personally commanded his forces and tried to cut off Alexander’s supply lines as he advanced to the Euphrates River. This battle took place in the narrow plain near the Pinarus River in southern Anatolia; Where the land created restrictions on numerical superiority of the Achaemenid Corps. Ancient sources have cited the number of Iranian troops up to 4.3 people; But modern estimates show less.
Photographer: Unsual / Britannica
Alexander had about 2.5 to 2.5 soldiers. Despite the numerical superiority of the Achaemenids, Alexander’s tactical genius won the field. He led a fierce attack with the cavalry that broke the left wing of the Achaemenid Corps and pushed the center where Darius was based. A fierce war took place around the chariot of Darius. Although Alexander himself was injured, his forces’ pressure led Darius to escape and his army and his family. The Achaemenid Corps, who had been desperate and desperate, collapsed and dispersed. The victory was a turning point that stabilized Alexander’s dominance over the region and weakened the Achaemenid power. (EBSCO)
Two years later, in the year 5 BC, the Battle of Gogal (also known as the Battle of Erbala) took place in a large plain near modern -day Mosul in Iraq. This battle was the final confrontation between Alexander and Darius III. Unlike Asus, the ground was in favor of the numerical superiority of the Iranians, and Darius III brought a huge army including elephants and war chariots. However, the regular ranks of the Macedonian infantry and his agile cavalry performed a brilliant tactical design.
The Achaemenid lines under pressure from the Macedonian attack and Darius again escaped and abandoned his army. This failure practically ended the Achaemenid resistance and opened the way for Alexander to capture Babylon, Susa, and finally, Persepolis, the Achaemenid ceremonial capital. Gogalm was the end point of the Achaemenid Empire and the beginning of Alexander’s reign over a vast empire from Greece to India. (Britannica)
Photographer: Unknown / Warfare History Network
Conquest of Persepolis by Alexander
After Alexander’s decisive victory in the Battle of Gogal, he advanced in the heart of the Achaemenid Imperial. His next big goal, Persepolis, was the ceremonial capital and a symbol of the Achaemenid power and wealth. The route to Persepolis in the Pars Straits was heavily defended by Ariobarzen, the Iranian Shahrban. Defenders were close to stopping Alexander’s advance; But by defeating them, the Macedonians opened the way to Persepolis.
Photographer: Unknown / aryohotel.com
Alexander entered Persepolis early in the year 5 BC and seized the huge treasury of the city. This enormous trophy guaranteed his financial independence from Greece and made it possible for future campaigns. Despite the city’s surrender, Alexander allowed his troops to plunder Persepolis. In a dramatic and controversial act, he ordered the royal palace and a large part of the city to be set on fire. The ancient sources disagree about his motives; Some see it as a revenge for the destruction of Athens by Iranians, others see it as a celebration or political action. This destruction was the symbolic end of the Achaemenid Empire. (Worldhistory)
Photographer: Joseph Mallord William Turner / Mutual Art
Alexander’s campaigns in eastern Iran
With the destruction of Persepolis, Alexander pursued Darius III, who fled to the east to gain new support. Alexander’s campaigns in eastern Iran were difficult and accompanied by military and political challenges. He crossed Mad, Parth, west of the present Afghanistan, southeastern Iran and Balkh, and traveled wide and impassable areas.
Alexander pursued Darius the undisputed. Finally, Besus, the Achaemenid city, betrayed Darius in Balkh and killed him. Alexander declared himself a legal successor to the Achaemenid throne by holding a royal funeral for Darius.
Photographer: Unknown / Heritage History
Basus called himself the King of the Achaemenids and took over the leadership of the East. Alexander passed through the Hindu Kush Mountains in pursuit of Basus, and his army faced a great deal of hardship. He was eventually arrested, punished and executed as usurper.
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