Battle of Gaugamela
Darius III had learned from Issus. He chose a wide flat plain at Gaugamela near modern Erbil, Iraq, to neutralize Alexander's use of terrain. He assembled perhaps 200,000 troops — cavalry from across the empire, scythed chariots, 15 war elephants, Greek mercenaries. He offered Alexander again: half the empire and his daughter's hand in marriage. Alexander refused. The Macedonian army of 47,000 was outnumbered roughly four to one. Parmenion advised a night attack; Alexander refused — 'I will not steal my victory.' In the battle's opening, scythed chariots charged the Macedonian line but were neutralized by lanes opened in the infantry formation, then killed by javelin men. Darius sent his cavalry around both Macedonian flanks. Alexander watched the Persian line carefully. When Darius extended his left to overlap Alexander's right flank, a gap appeared in the Persian center. Alexander turned his Companion Cavalry at the oblique and charged directly through the gap toward Darius. When Alexander's cavalry appeared near the royal chariot, Darius again fled. Parmenion's left flank was nearly overwhelmed. Alexander turned back, but the Persian cavalry that had broken through were now themselves fleeing; he intercepted and destroyed many of them. Alexander then marched to Babylon, which opened its gates. Susa surrendered. The Persian Empire was effectively over. Darius fled east with Bessus, the satrap of Bactria. Shortly after, Bessus murdered Darius and declared himself king. Alexander pursued, honored Darius's body with a royal funeral, and relentlessly hunted Bessus.
- Year: 331 BCE
- Category: Military
