Map Description

Historical Map of the Banks of the Granicus River.


Illustrating

• The Battle of the Granicus, 334 BC.
  
  This was Alexander the Great's first major battle in his campaign to conquer Persia.
  
  
  There are two competing accounts of the battle:
  
  Arrian and Plutarch report that Alexander attacked directly across the river, though this seems unlikely given the steep banks that would have been difficult for horses to climb.
  
  Diodorus of Sicily reports that the Macedonians crossed the river at night and attacked before dawn.
  
  
  The Persian battle formation, with cavalry placed in front of infantry, suggests they were not expecting a river crossing assault.
  
  
  The battle itself was brief but decisive: The Persian army was destroyed. Alexander could now turn south and take Sardes and Ephesus without resistance.
  
  
  See also Jona Lendering's excellent site: Beginning of the Persian Campaign

Credits

Courtesy of the United States Military Academy Department of History.

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