THE MACEDONIANS FINALLY FACE DARIUS ALEXANDER AT ISSUS

In late 333 BC, as Alexander marched south towards the Levant, a 30-oared ship arrived with confirmation of some intelligence. Darius had appeared in Alexander’s rear, severing communications between Alexander’s army and the recently-established support bases in Cilicia. This was, in fact, a more favourable scenario for Alexander; Darius had forfeited the open Amik plain and was to face Alexander in the narrow coastal strip between Issus and the Pillar of Jonah. Unlike the Granicus, this would not be a battle against Darius’ satraps, but against the Great King himself at the head of the assembled might of the Persian Empire.

By Mark McCaffery

Having mustered his levies at Babylon in the spring or early summer of 333 BC, Darius’ intention had been to face Alexander on the Amik plain (southern Turkey). There, he could fully deploy his 600,000 soldiers with space for his cavalry to manoeuvre. Arriving in the area sometime in September, Darius grew frustrated. Alexander, just to the west near Tarsus, wasn’t moving. Having come through the Cilician Gates, a swim in the river Cydnus at the end of a hot day’s march had left Alexander suffering cramps, severe chills, fever, and bouts of insomnia. In the hands of his court physician, he slowly recovered. When Alexander was back on his feet, he busied himself with imposing a garrison upon the city of Soli before ranging for seven days through the…

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Ancient Warfare (Digital) - 1 Issue, AW XVI.6

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