Page 33 - History of War - Issue 01-14

– and, according to modern estimates, they now
outnumbered the Macedonians by almost two
to one. (The Immortals were so named because
their number was replenished every time they
suffered casualties in battle.)
To accommodate such a massive force,
Darius had chosen a wide battleground and
fl attened the land, removing any obstacles to
allow his cavalry and 200 scythed chariots
a clear run at the enemy. These vehicles,
each pulled by two horses, were modifi ed with
metre-long blades extending from the wheels,
which could easily slice a man in half. Darius
also had at his disposal 15 war elephants
– secured from his Indian subjects – which
were mounted by archers and javelin-throwers.
Bloody massacre
When Alexander reported back to his camp,
his Generals suggested that the Macedonians
might be able to overcome their numerical
disadvantage by launching a surprise night
attack. However, their leader dismissed this idea,
proclaiming that, “I will not demean myself by
stealing victory like a thief.” It turned out to be
a masterstroke (or a stroke of luck, depending
on which way you look at it): Darius’ army,
fearing such a nocturnal strike, stayed awake
all night while Alexander’s forces enjoyed
a good night’s sleep. When the young warrior
awoke the following morning (having overslept),
he declared that the battle was already won.
The Macedonians advanced on the morning of
1 October 331BC. Alexander took up his usual
position on the right fl ank, while his second-in-
command, Parmenion, and his men stuck to the Winning hearts and minds was the purpose behind
left. (While he was, at the time, a trusted General Alexander’s kindly treatment of Darius’ surrendered
of Alexander, Parmenion was later sentenced to family, depicted here in a 1566 painting by Paolo
Veronese. He later married one daughter, Stateira II
death by his leader for conspiring to murder him.)
Stationed between the two cavalries were two
rows of the awe-inspiring Macedonian phalanx – Darius – as he had done at Issus – knew that Becoming the Great King of Persia at the age
a rectangular formation, typically 16 men wide the battle was lost and fl ed the area. The great of 25, over the next eight years Alexander
by 16 men deep, that had been developed by Greek historian Plutarch, in his biography would lead his army a further 11,000 miles,
King Philip and used in many previous confl icts. Life Of Alexander, spoke of the leader’s fl ight: founding over 70 cities and creating an Empire
Raised high above their heads were their sarissas that stretched across three continents and
– 15-18ft wooden poles with sharpened iron tips. Darius, now seeing all was lost; that those who covered around two million square miles. But his
Alexander’s strategy was simple: with the were placed in front of him were broken and victory at Gaugamela will always be remembered
phalanxes providing a shield in the centre, he beat back upon him; that he could not turn or as his greatest achievement. Darius’ cowardice
and his Companion cavalry (see box, opposite disengage his chariot without great diffi culty, the notwithstanding, the odds were stacked
page) would gallop off to the right at an oblique wheels being clogged and entangled among the against Alexander that day, but a combination
angle. In order to outfl ank him, the Persians dead bodies, was glad to quit his chariot and arms. of courage, tactical genius, the loyalty of his
would be forced to pull further and further to Mounting, it is said, upon a mare that had been troops, and perhaps a small amount of gung-ho
their left, into treacherous, unfl attened terrain. taken from her foal, he betook himself to fl ight. madness, turned the battle in his favour.
This would allow a gap to open up in the Persian Alexander was eventually defeated – by
line, which Alexander and his cavalry could While this wasn’t the fi rst time that Darius illness – and he died in Babylon in 323BC. But
penetrate with devastating effect. had fl ed the battlefi eld in an encounter with his military strategies remain an inspiration to
The plan worked brilliantly. With Alexander Alexander’s army, it was to be the last: the historians and Generals alike. Indeed, his tactic
otherwise engaged, Darius – positioned at the Persian King decamped to Ecbatana (on the site of rapidly attacking a single spot at the front
centre of the Persian horde – played what he of what is now the Iranian city of Hamadãn), of enemy lines has been lauded as the model on
believed to be his trump card, ordering his leaving his young nemesis to take possession which the German Blitzkrieg was based. But while
scythed chariots to advance. However, while of Babylon and Susa. When Alexander arrived the Germans ultimately failed, the same cannot
these deadly vehicles had been used to great at the Persian capital of Persepolis in 330BC, be said of the man they call “the Great. w
effect against lesser, ill-prepared armies, against he allowed his troops to loot its treasures,
the hardened veterans of Alexander’s batallion and he later burned down the great palace.
the outcome was disappointing – the phalanxes
merely opened ranks, allowing the chariots Gung-ho madness
to pass through. They were then set upon by Darius did try to build a new army, but the
Macedonian infantry at the rear, and a massacre sheer number of casualties infl icted by the
ensued. Darius’ second secret weapon was no Macedonians at Gaugamela meant that he could
more successful, with the war elephants proving never again threaten Alexander. Besides, his This feature is an edited
too unwieldy to be truly effective. fl ight from battle only bought him a few more extract from the book
With Darius unprotected, both by his chariots weeks of life: one of his subordinates, Bessus, Battles That Have Changed
and his left fl ank, Alexander seized his chance. executed the King before attempting in vain to History, published by Amber
Forming his men into a wedge, he charged lead a resistance against Alexander. Books. It is available from
towards the Persian King before launching Darius and Bessus were not the only ones to www.amberbooks.co.uk
his spear (it missed by inches). At this point, fail against the might of the young Macedonian. (RRP £24.95)
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