/HFWXUH %&DXJDPHOD²$OH[DQGHU¶VHQLXV
professional one. He also included contingents of other types
of troops:
o He added archers and slingers to harass the enemy from a
distance. There were swift, agile, lightly armed troops to act
as skirmishers.o There were sizable cavalry units, some of which were light
cavalry used as scouts, while others were heavy cavalry who
could break an enemy line.x 6XFKDIRUFHNQRZQDVDPL[HGDUP\KDGWZRVLJQL¿FDQWHIIHFWV
o ,WPDGHWKHQHZ0DFHGRQLDQDUP\PXFKPRUHÀH[LEOHDEOH
WR¿JKWDJDLQVWDUDQJHRIHQHPLHVDQGWRUHDFWWRDYDULHW\RI
circumstances and conditions.o It put greater emphasis on good generalship. A clever general
might give separate missions to different parts of his army or
send units in different directions. Used creatively, it was an
army with great potential.The Persian Army and Its Technology
x The Persian army was much the same as that which the Greeks had
faced at Plataea. Its elite infantry were the 10,000 Immortals.x The strength of the Persian army was its numerous and well-trained
cavalry, and a favored weapon among both infantry and horsemen
was the bow, although a wide array of swords, spears, and axes
were also employed.Precipitating Events
x After crossing into Asia and visiting Troy, Alexander began
his invasion of the Persian Empire. The governor of the region
organized the local forces, including a number of Greek hoplite
mercenaries, and marched out to confront him. At the Battle of
the Granicus, Alexander led a charge and won the victory. He then
proceeded deep into Asia Minor, conquering cities as he went.