Strategies of Alexander the Great in the Battles of Issus and Gaugamela

Philip II, Alexander the Great,
and
the Macedonian Empire

1
The battle of Issus
Strategies of Alexander proved to be more effective as the strategies started much before the
start of the battle. The first strategy that Alexander made in this battle was to confront with
the Persian army on the coastal plains that was narrow between the mountain range of
Amanus and the sea (Fuller, 2018). He did so to hinder the effective cavalry deployment as
he knew choosing this plain would make the battles between the infantries where he knew
that his phalanx was stronger than their rivals. This strategy failed as Darius stopped on the
northern plains of Syria. One night before, he chose a vantage point by Pillars of Jonah which
gave them the clear vision of the campfire of the Persian who was on the lower terrains. He
moved along the terrains which took lot of time because of the topology of the place and
hence they got time to plan the battle.
In the battle, he gave the responsibility of stopping the left wing of Persian army to their
archers and he himself adjusted himself behind the centre along with allied and mercenary
infantry as well as with Macedonian cavalry. His strategy in the war was to kill Darius which
could have given them advantage in the psychological terms. He decided to penetrate the
Persian line with the help of his cavalry and he himself with trusted man focused their
attention towards the positioning of Darius. He started a slow march and once he reached
closer his cavalry launched an attack on the centre of Persian defence (Strauss, 2003). He
believed on the experience and skill of Parmenion to hold on the left side of the Persian army.
Alexander started his movement towards Darius and killed his bodyguards which led Darius
to leave the battlefield. This news demotivated the Persian army and in confusion his armies
started to leave the battle ground. Seeing this, Alexander order to kill the men that was
leaving the field hence more number of Persian solider got killed when compared with the
numbers of soldiers that was killed in the actual battle.
Battle of Gaugamela
Same as Issus his strategies for battle started much before the battle actually started i.e. his
plan of moving on the battle field along the east of Tigris. This ensured that enough of supply
was available for their soldiers and also gave four day rest to his army. For understanding the
Persian plains and lines he moved through the hills with his companion cavalry (Brosius,
2003). Darius ordered that his troops to remain awake at night which helped Alexander to
notice the deployments of Persian King according to it. Alexander understood that his
numbers were again less in the battle field hence he again adopted the strategy to attack