Реферат: Alexander

Alexander. One year later Alexander and Darius would meet again.

On October 1st 331 BC , Alexander’s troops pursue Darius into the town of

Gaugamela. The Battle of Gaugamela10 would later be called one of the most decisive in

history. Alexander once again showed great war-skills by luring the Persians into a

premature assault to weaken the backbone of their army. At the same time the Persians

attacked Alexander’s right and made a gap in the phalanx. Through this gap the Persians

swept around Alexander’s army and had a chance at victory. Alexander made quick

decisions and reformed his phalanx and charged at the gap at the Persian front. Darius

once again was exposed and his army was retreating. The battle was lost and with it the

destiny of the Persian monarchy; the greatest empire which had yet existed in history.

The victory at Gaugamela wore out Alexander’s troops so Alexander led them to

Babylon. Here at Babylon, Alexander was greeted with gifts and given the city. His army

rested and recuperated. Alexander’s army marched on Susa on November 25th. His army

was replenished and reinforced to 70,000 strong. Susa had been a war zone since the

beginning of history yet the governor of Susa met Alexander by the Tigris river bearing

gifts. The governor gave Susa to Alexander with no opposition. From here Alexander

marched on to the ancient city of Xerxes and Darius about a month later.

On Alexander’s journey through the outskirts of Susa he met up with natives of the

Afghan-hills. These natives demanded tolls for Alexander to pass like they had done to

previous kings before him. Alexander was not the sort of person to stand for this so he

had them killed. Alexander had his eyes set on a bigger goal – Persopolis.11

Persopolis was the huge Persian palace with royal tombs and shrines. It was the

heart of the Persian empire. This was a trophy to acquire in Alexander’s eyes. He led his

reinforced army of now 80,000 right to the gates of Persopolis. The gates were closed and

there seemed to be no easy way of gaining entrance. Alexander interrogated prisoners in

hopes of finding a way in; this was of no help. A local shepherd told Alexander of an

alternative route to gain entrance through the rear of Persopolis. This route was the only

one known and it was through rocky terrain. Alexander proceeded with 15,000 of his men

through the long valley of Mulla Susan to the back of the pass. Alexander and his fearless