Battle of the Granicus River
In 334 BCE Alexander crossed the Hellespont with approximately 40,000 men. He first visited Troy, honoring Achilles (his claimed ancestor), then Persian satraps assembled a force of 40,000 at the Granicus River to halt him. The Persian commanders placed their cavalry along the river bank behind a steep bank, with Greek mercenary infantry in the rear. Parmenion advised waiting until dawn and crossing elsewhere. Alexander refused: 'I would be ashamed if this little stream halted me after the Hellespont held no fear.' Alexander led the Companion Cavalry in a diagonal charge to his right, striking the Persian left flank and drawing their attention, while the Macedonian phalanx followed. In the melee on the riverbank Alexander was conspicuous in his white-plumed helmet. Two Persian commanders nearly killed him: Spithridates raised his sword to strike, but Cleitus the Black severed Spithridates' arm, saving Alexander's life. The Persian cavalry broke. The Greek mercenaries in the Persian rear offered to surrender; Alexander refused terms and ordered them cut down — a brutal message that Greek mercenaries serving Persia were traitors. Victory at Granicus opened Asia Minor. Alexander moved along the coast, liberating the Greek cities from Persian rule and installing democratic governments — the political calculus of the liberator. The Persian strategic position in Anatolia rapidly collapsed.
- Year: 334 BCE
- Category: Military
