 |
|
 |
There was a big goal that Alexander wanted to accomplish and
that was to overpower the Persian empire. The Persian empire
was a huge force. It was said that they would have a million men
prepared in case of an attack. The king of this powerful army
that had no one to fear was a man named Darius III and called
"The Great King." Even with these intimidations,
Alexander sailed to Asia. While Alexander came near to Persia,
the Persian Navy, saw Alexander's army, but having total
confidence in their army they let him pass them by. On shore,
the first thing that Alexander did was visiting Troy because
that was the subject of the Iliad which Alexander loved. Some
time after this, he marched down into Persia with 35,000 men.
Darius arrogantly sent a small unit, probably even smaller than
Alexander's and Persian cavalry to go down to the Granicus River
to fight Alexander and his troops, while he would not go,
thinking that this would be an easy win. The Persians lined up
in their usual formation which made it very difficult for
Alexander because they had to cross a low and fast river with
high banks. Alexander lead his troops when they attacked. His
men had a hard time getting up the slope at first, but they had
managed to do it. Alexander went after Mithradates (son-in-law
of Darius), but just as Alexander was driving his sword into
him, another Persian cut Alexander in the head with his sword.
With blood gushing out from his head he fell unconscious. After
awhile Alexander's consciousness had come back, and he was able
to get back up on Bucephalus. Alexander assembled his troops and
struck further into the Persians. The Persians asked for peace,
but Alexander didn't give in. He and his troops killed the
Persians left to right and then, after thousands being
slaughtered, Alexander won. |
|
