Download Alexander`s Army at Gaugamela

Alexander and Military Matters
Alexander’s Army at Gaugamela
PHILOTAS
led the Companion Cavalry
COMPANAION CAVALRY
on the right, opposite Bessus
CLEITUS
led the Royal Squadron
ROYAL SQUADRON
on the right, opposite Bessus
ALEXANDER
led the Hypaspists
HYPASPISTS
in the centre/right
PHALANX
in the centre
GREEK CAVALRY
in the centre/left
PARMENIO
second in command, led the
Thessalian/allied cavalry
THESSALIAN/ALLIED CAVALRY on the left
SECOND INFANTRY
Alexander placed a second line of infantry
behind the phalanx. They were ordered to
turn and face the enemy if encircled by
them.
FLANK GUARDS
Alexander placed on either side of the army
to prevent the Persians from surrounding
them.
Alexander and Military Matters
Darius’ Army at Gaugamela
BESSUS
Led a mixture of cavalry and infantry
CAVALRY/INFANTRY
On the left
DARIUS
Positioned himself in the centre
GREEK MERCENARIES
Flanked Darius in the centre, consisting of his
bodyguard of spearmen, the royal horseguard
and the Indian Cavalry
SCYTHE CHARIOTS
At the front centre
ELEPHANTS
At the front centre
MAZEUS
Commanded cavalry on right
CAVALRY
On the right
Alexander and Military Matters
BATTLE OF GAUGAMELA 331BC
 Alexander ordered his cavalry to move on an angle to the right to force
the Persians to move to their left and follow. This would mean that
they would move away from the cleared area that Darius had prepared
for his chariots.
 Darius did not want to move away from this cleared area and so
launched a cavalry attack on Alexander’s right flank attempting to
break through and get behind.
 At the same time, Darius launched the elephants and scythe chariots
against the phalanx.
 But the attack failed. Many of the chariots and elephants were stopped
before they got to the phalanx, by a group of lancers placed there for
this purpose. The rest of the elephants and scythe-chariots struck
terror into the phalanx, but their training and discipline was such that
they were able to open their ranks at the exact moment and create
‘corridors’ for the charging elephants and chariots to go through.
 After the failure of the chariots, Darius ordered a general offensive.
Mazeus was launched against Parmenio’s wing and the rest of the
cavalry (Indian) were sent to help Bessus on Alexander’s right.
 This caused a gap to open in the Persian line, to the left of centre.
Alexander waiting for this opportunity, advanced towards Darius but
was held up by the Persian horseguard and the Greek Mercenaries.
 Darius, standing in his chariot, decided that the battle was lost and
fled. On his left, Bessus and the Bactrian Cavalry followed Darius in
flight.
 On the opposite side, Parmenio was hard pressed by Mazeus (who was
unaware that his leader had fled) and called for help. A gap had also
appeared in the Macedonian line and Persian cavalry and broken
through and were heading for the baggage. The second line of infantry
dealt with these troops.
Alexander and Military Matters
 Alexander, therefore, did not chase after Darius but moved to his left
to assist Parmenio.
 In doing so he came across the Persian royal guard and other troops
trying to escape. A fierce fight followed where many Companions were
killed.
 By the time Alexander was able to move towards Parmenio’s side, he
was no longer needed. Mazeus having finally heard of Darius’ flight,
escaped, pursued by the Thessalians.
 Alexander chased after Darius but failed to capture/kill him.
Alexander and Military Matters
BATTLE OF GAUGAMELA 331BC
 On the opposite side, Parmenio was hard pressed by Mazeus (who was
unaware that his leader had fled) and called for help. A gap had also
appeared in the Macedonian line and Persian cavalry and broken
through and were heading for the baggage. The second line of infantry
dealt with these troops.
 After the failure of the chariots, Darius ordered a general offensive.
Mazeus was launched against Parmenio’s wing and the rest of the
cavalry were sent to help Bessus on Alexander’s right.
 Alexander, therefore, did not chase after Darius but moved to his left
to assist Parmenio.
 In doing so he came across the Persian royal guard and other troops
trying to escape. A fierce fight followed where many Companions were
killed.
 Darius did not want to move away from this cleared area and so
launched a cavalry attack on Alexander’s right flank attempting to
break through and get behind.
 Alexander chased after Darius but failed to capture/kill him.
 This caused a gap to open in the Persian line, to the left of centre.
Alexander waiting for this opportunity, advanced towards Darius but
was held up by the Persian horseguard and the Greek Mercenaries.
 Alexander ordered his cavalry to move on an angle to the right to force
the Persians to move to their left and follow. This would mean that
they would move away from the cleared area that Darius had prepared
for his chariots.
 At the same time, Darius launched the elephants and scythe chariots
against the phalanx.
Alexander and Military Matters
 Darius, standing in his chariot, decided that the battle was lost and
fled. On his left, Bessus and the Bactrian Cavalry followed Darius in
flight.
 By the time Alexander was able to move towards Parmenio’s side, he
was no longer needed. Mazeus having finally heard of Darius’ flight,
escaped, pursued by the Thessalians.
 But the attack failed. Many of the chariots and elephants were stopped
before they got to the phalanx, by a group of lancers placed there for
this purpose. The rest of the elephants and scythe-chariots struck
terror into the phalanx, but their training and discipline was such that
they were able to open their ranks at the exact moment and create
‘corridors’ for the charging elephants and chariots to go through.
Alexander and Military Matters
ALEXANDER OCCUPIES BABYLON AND SUSA
Alexander’s conquests in Mesopotamia (the Battle of Gaugamela, and the taking of
Babylon, Susa and Persepolis) highlight Alexander’s:
a) military expertise, b)generosity to his soldiers, c)tolerance of other religions.
After Gaugamela:
 Darius fled to the north-east
 Alexander did not pursue him, but instead went south to occupy the economic
heartland of Persia – Babylon, Susa and Persepolis.
At Babylon 331 BC:
 Mazaeus surrendered Babylon, even though he had fought with Darius at Gaugamela
and Alexander was expecting a fight
 Mazaeus had learnt from what had happened at Tyre, Gaza and Thebes AND Babylon
was not fond of the Persians who had desecrated their temples.
 Alexander treated and respected the Babylonians well – rebuilt the great temple of
the Babylonian god Marduk and gained much respect.
 Alexander’s troops spent one month relaxing in Babylon and they were paid with
the wealth of the city, soldiers were paid for six months and mercenaries were paid
for two months. Discipline was relaxed – Curtius describes ‘lurid scenes of
debauchery’.
 He reappointed Mazaeus as satrap – he had limited power: collected the taxes as
usual but all military power was under Greek command.
At Susa 331-330 BC:
 Gained 50 000 talents from its treasury – could pay troops, sent money home to help
Antipater against Agis III.
 At Susa Alexander found an Athenian sculpture showing the slayers of Greek tyrants.
Xerxes had removed the sculpture from Athens in 480 BC. Alexander, realizing its
national value, sent it to Athens, ensuring Athenian loyalty.
At Persepolis, capital of Persis 330 BC:
 Another 120 000 talents gained.
 He stayed here for four months and initially allowed his troops to loot and kill but
then decided that he wanted to rule with the assistance of the Persian nobility.
THIS MARKS THE START OF ‘THE POLICY OF FUSION’.
ALEXANDER HAD NOW CONQUERED MESOPOTAMIA AND MOVED INTO PERSIA.