x Recognizing Alexander as a serious threat, Darius determined to
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Macedonians. They met in 333 B.C. at the Battle of Issus, and
although outnumbered, Alexander again prevailed, personally
leading the charge.x Rather than immediately pursuing Darius, Alexander spent several
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Darius spent this time preparing for their next confrontation. Both
knew that the next time they met would be the decisive battle to
determine which was to rule the Persian Empire.The Battle
x Darius’s most obvious advantage was numerical, and he used the
interval to gather a vast army from every corner of his empire.
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expanse along the Tigris River near Gaugamela, where no
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the Persian numerical superiority could be used to full effect.x Finally, Darius created a special weapon of 200 chariots with blades
attached to their wheels. These would be launched against the
Macedonian phalanx; the blades would literally carve openings in
the formations, into which the cavalry could pour.x Alexander’s advisors, frightened by the size of the Persian army,
urged him to attack at night to mask their inferior numbers.
Refusing this advice, Alexander went to bed. Darius, fearing just
such an assault, kept his army standing ready for battle all night. By
morning, Alexander had already scored an advantage: His troops
were well rested in contrast to the sleepless Persians.x Alexander’s most pressing problem was the lack of a geographic
anchor to prevent encirclement.