Battle of the Granicus
334 BCE · Granicus River (near modern Canakkale, Turkey) · World · Ancient
Alexander personally led the cavalry across the river under fire to charge the Persian line; the satraps' army scattered, and the Greek mercenaries were surrounded and annihilated.
Belligerents
Macedon
- Commanders
- Alexander the Great
- Strength
- Macedonian expeditionary army of about 35,000
Persia
- Commanders
- Memnon, Arsames
- Strength
- A coalition of Persian satraps, with Greek mercenaries
Background
In the first battle of Alexander's eastern campaign, the Persian governors-general of the western provinces rejected Memnon's advice to avoid battle and hastily gave fight.
Course of the battle
- Forcing a crossing of the GranicusThe Macedonian army forced a river crossing and charged the Persian line
- Cavalry chargeAlexander personally led the Companion cavalry into the enemy ranks
- Mercenaries encircledThe Greek mercenaries serving with the Persians were surrounded and annihilated by the Macedonians
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 334 BCE |
|---|---|
| Place | Granicus River (near Canakkale, present-day Turkey) |
| Result | Alexander personally led the cavalry across the river under fire to charge the Persian line; the satraps' army scattered, and the Greek mercenaries were surrounded and annihilated. |
| Winner | Macedon |
| Casualties | The Persian army was defeated and scattered, and most of its mercenaries were annihilated or captured. |
| Territorial change | The coastal city-states of Asia Minor submitted to Macedon one after another. |
Impact
The opening battle of Alexander's eastern campaign, which opened the gateway to Asia Minor.
See the world in 334 BCE on the map →