Battle of Gaugamela
Probably Tel Gomel (Gaugamela) near Erbil, modern Iraqi Kurdistan, north of Mount Alfaf
What happened
Alexander the Great, with his general Parmenion, faced King Darius III of Persia, whose commanders included Bessus and Mazaeus. Darius chose a wide, flat plain in northern Iraq and had the ground leveled so his chariots and horsemen could move easily. His soldiers stayed awake all night in battle lines, fearing a surprise attack. The next day, Alexander's horsemen found a gap in the Persian line and charged toward Darius, who fled, and the Persian army broke up.
Why it matters
Result: Macedonian victory. Leaders: Alexander the Great / Hephaestion against Darius III / Bessus. Why it matters: This battle decided the fate of the Persian Achaemenid Empire. After it, Alexander took the title King of Asia.
What came next
Darius escaped east to Media to try to raise another army; he was later killed by his own commander, Bessus. Babylon, Susa and Persepolis then lay open to Alexander.
Did you know?
Babylonian astronomers recorded a lunar eclipse eleven days before the battle on clay tablets and took it as an omen.
Timeline
- Summer 331 BCEAlexander returns from Egypt and marches toward Mesopotamia.
- 18 September 331 BCEThe Macedonians reach the Tigris River.
- 20 September 331 BCEA lunar eclipse is seen and recorded by Babylonian astronomers.
- 24 September 331 BCEDarius sends a new peace offer, which Alexander rejects.
- 1 October 331 BCEAlexander defeats Darius at Gaugamela.