Each of the three best
known ancient generals (Alexander, Hannibal, Caesar) had rivers to
cross. Hannibal had the Ebro in northern Iberia, Caesar had his
famous Rubicon, and Alexander had the Granicus.
Rivers form natural
boundaries and are relatively easy to defend, hence their importance
in both modern and ancient warfare. The Persians were well aware
Alexander was a skilled general and that his army was accustomed to
victory, and that both were heading their way.
The Persians assembled
a sizeable force to oppose Alexander's crossing, including Greek
mercenaries (foot soldiers). Persia's own foot soldiers were a bit
rubbish, but their cavalry was pretty good. Weirdly, it was the
cavalry (which included Persian nobility) which gathered upon the
banks to try and prevent the incursion.
Alexander, as was his
wont, attacked at once, leading the charge of the Companions
personally. His life was saved by Cleitus the Black, who severed the
arm of a Persian noble who would otherwise have slain Alexander and
dramatically altered the course of history.
The Persian cavalry
retreated, leaving the Greek mercenaries to be cut to ribbons by
Alexander.
As this happened quite
a while ago, there are some disputes about precisely what happened,
but the above is a reasonable outline. Once Alexander had crossed the
Granicus, Asia Minor lay open to him. But, Darius, the Great King of
Persia, commanded a huge number of men and plentiful resources.
Asia Minor
Hellespont to the
Granicus 50 - completed
The Granicus to Sardis
180 – 6/180
Sardis to Smyrna and
back again 100
Sardis to Ephesus 50
Ephesus to Miletus 60
Miletus to
Halicarnassus 60
Halicarnassus to
Telmessus 160
Telmessus to Phaselis
160
Phaselis to Side 85
Side to Termessus 85
Termessus to Sagalassus
70
Sagalassus to Celaenae
60
Celaenae to Gordium 170
Gordium to Ancyra 80
Ancyra to Tarsus 320
Tarsus to Rugged
Cilicia and back again 160
Tarsus to Myriandrus
100
Myriandrus to Issues 25
Total = 1,955
Thaddeus
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