Alexander Defeats Darius (Persian King)

 

Alexander Defeats Darius

At first, the Persian King Darius thought Alexander was just a foolish boy. He told his generals to capture him. But after Alexander conquered all of Asia Minor, Darius realised he was wrong.

Darius gathered a huge, fancy army. He had soldiers from many nations, including Greek mercenaries. One Greek advisor, Charidemus, warned him that his gold and purple robes were useless against Alexander’s tough, disciplined soldiers. Darius got angry and executed him.

Darius’s army marched with incredible pomp. They carried sacred fire on silver altars and had a white horse for the sun god. There were 15,000 “Kinsmen” and 10,000 “Immortals” dressed in gold. The king himself sat in a jeweled chariot, wearing a purple vest and a golden sword. Strangely, Darius brought his mother, wife, children, and many treasures with him. He left the treasures in Damascus.

The two armies unknowingly passed each other. Darius went north to Issus after Alexander had left. When Alexander learned the Persians were behind him, he decided to attack immediately. At midnight, he led his army through a mountain pass. From a hill, he saw the thousands of Persian campfires below. He offered a sacrifice by torchlight.

At dawn, Alexander attacked. By sunset, the huge Persian army was broken and fleeing. Darius escaped on horseback, but he left his family behind. Alexander captured the Persian camp. He treated the queen and the king’s mother kindly, sending his teacher Leonnatus to comfort them. When Alexander visited them with his friend Hephaestion, the ladies mistook Hephaestion for the king. Alexander just laughed and said, “He is Alexander too.”

Alexander then sent soldiers to take the treasures from Damascus. Darius later offered peace and a ransom for his family. Alexander refused. He wrote back that he was now the king of Asia, and Darius must address him as his ruler.

After the battle, Alexander captured some Greek envoys who had plotted against him. He freed the Thebans (because he had destroyed their city) but treated the others as traitor. Then he marched on to the great city of Tyre.