#persian army

[jeannereames]

Hello Professor, I was recently reading an article by Maxim Kholod (The Macedonian Expeditionary Corps in Asia Minor, 336–335) in which he argues that those two years significantly shaped Alexander’s own official campaign in Asia Minor. He also suggests that the Persians were very much aiming for a major pitched battle, to the point of deliberately avoiding any disruption of the Macedonian crossing of the Hellespont.

This made me wonder how plausible it really is that Memnon was genuinely advocating a ‘destroy‑and‑wait’ kind of strategy. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and probably that would have been the correct approach (bonus for the Greek man for pointing it out!), but the Persians (and Memnon himself) had to work with what they knew at the time: they had managed to push back the first Macedonian corps (despite being at a numerical disadvantage), they were facing a new and young king, and they had every reason to try to stop the invasion once and for all.

I don’t know how plausible my line of thought is, but I’ve always felt that devastating one’s own lands is a last resort, not the first option one would normally pick out.

Kholod is a good, solid scholar. I've not read that particular article, but I'd be interested in his argument when I have time. (Right now, I'm limiting academic reading only to material for the monograph, which at the moment, is largely about Diodorus, as I'm on that chapter. Ha)

And yes, I think he's right that the Persians wanted a pitched battle. that appears to be the gist of their arguments. Whether Memnon agreed, I'd want to see what Kholod said to support it. Memnon may have had a bit of insider knowledge that led him to worry about Alexander, especially if he'd had word about Thebes (and any of the Thracian or Illyrian campaigns).

But as noted, I've not read that article, although I'm familiar with Kholod's work and respect it. He may be right.

[paintingsandhistory]

Alexander the Great at the Battle of the Granicus Against the Persians

Artist: Cornelis Troost (Dutch, 1696-1750)

Date: 18th century

Medium: Oil painting

Description

This painting, created by the Dutch artist Cornelis Troost (c. 1697-1750), was inspired by the Battle of the Granicus, fought between Alexander the Great and the Persians in 334 BCE. It was the first major pitched battle that occurred after Alexander the Great crossed into Anatolia and invaded lands controlled by the Achaemenid Empire, then ruled by Darius III (r. 336-330). In choosing to engage the enemy at the Granicus River, Alexander the Great handicapped himself, for he would have to ford through the water in order to strike at his foes. If, however, he could beat the odds as well as the opposing army, it would add further to the renown and distinction gained from the victory.

At the start of the battle, Alexander brought his army to the banks of the Granicus in battle array, with the Persians matching him on the other side. Alexander positioned himself with the troops on the right flank of his army, and he sent the other columns on his left to begin marching into the water of the river. Although Alexander had other columns advance first, it was his own cavalry force positioned on the right side that would be the real threat to the Persians. While the opposing army was distracted by the marching infantry, Alexander the Great charged across the river with his cavalry from the side and, as he often did, began fighting his way straight for the Persian commanders. The Roman historian, Arrian (90-173+), described this cavalry charge:

“The first to engage the Persians were cut down and died a soldier’s death, though some of the leading troops fell back upon Alexander, who was now on his way across: indeed, he was almost over, at the head of the army’s right wing. A moment later he was in the thick of it, charging at the head of his men straight for the spot where the Persian commanders stood and the serried ranks of the enemy horse were thickest. Round him a violent struggle developed, while all the time, company by company, the Macedonians were making their way over the river, more easily now than before” (Arrian, Anabasis, 1.15).

Such is the spirit of the scene that Cornelis Troost endeavored to re-create in his painting. On the left side, the first waves of troops that crossed the river can be seen in the heat of battle. Alexander is shown in the center of the painting, joining the battle by the riverbank. In the background of the right side of the artwork, more forces can be seen wading through the water toward the scene of battle. Alexander, of course, went on to win the Battle of the Granicus in 334 BCE. Over the next years, the Achaemenid Empire would be dismantled by further battles and conquests carried out by Alexander the Great.

[blueiscoool]

Battle of Marathon: The Helmet With the Soldier’s Skull Still Inside

This remarkable Corinthian-style helmet from the Battle of Marathon was reputedly found in 1834 with a human skull still inside.

It now forms part of the Royal Ontario Museum’s collections, but originally it was discovered by George Nugent-Grenville, who was the British High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands between 1832-35.

A keen antiquarian, Nugent-Grenville carried out a number of rudimentary archaeological excavations in Greece, one of which took place on the Plains of Marathon, where the helmet was uncovered.

A pivotal moment in Ancient Greek history, the battle of Marathon saw a smaller Greek force, mainly made up of Athenian troops, defeat an invading Persian army.

There were numerous casualties, and it appears that this helmet belonged to a Greek hoplite (soldier) who died during the fighting of the fierce and bloody battle.

The Athenian army under General Miltiades consisted almost entirely of hoplites in bronze armor, using primarily spears and large bronze shields. They fought in tight formations called phalanxes and literally slaughtered the lightly-clad Persian infantry in close combat.

The hoplite style of fighting would go on to epitomize ancient Greek warfare.

Today the helmet and associated skull can be viewed at the Royal Ontario Museum’s Gallery of Greece.

Battle of Marathon saved Western Civilization

It was in September of the year 490 BC when, just 42 kilometers (26 miles) outside of Athens, a vastly outnumbered army of brave soldiers saved their city from the invading Persian army in the Battle of Marathon.

But as the course of history shows, in the Battle of Marathon, they saved more than just their own city: they saved Athenian democracy itself, and consequently, protected the course of Western civilization.

According to historian Richard Billows and his well-researched book Marathon: How One Battle Changed Western Civilization, in one single day in 490 BC, the Athenian army under General Miltiades changed the course of civilization.

It is very unlikely that world civilization would be the same today if the Persians had defeated the Athenians at Marathon. The mighty army of Darius I would have conquered Athens and established Persian rule there, putting an end to the newborn Athenian democracy of Pericles.

In effect, this would certainly have destroyed the idea of democracy as it had developed in Athens at the time.

The Battle of Marathon lasted only two hours, ending with the Persian army breaking in panic toward their ships with the Athenians continuing to slay them as they fled.

In his book, however, Billows calls the Battle of Marathon a “miraculous victory” for the Greeks. The victory was not as easy as it is often portrayed by many historians. After all, the Persian army had never before been defeated.

By Tasos Kokkinidis.

[redarmyscreaming]

Soldier, Persia,1937 

[movieassholes]

Yield, Leonidas! Use your reason! Think of your men! I beg you. 

Ephialtes - 300 (2006) 

It’s Turncoat Tuesday, ya traitorous sunsobitches!

[godswill972]

Gaugamela: The Battle That Changed The World - 331 BC - Weird History Facts

The battle of Gaugamela was no doubt a decisive battle that changed the history of the world. Its triumph opened the door to the known world for the Macedonian Army. Alexander became the king of kings after this battle as he went on to defeat the remaining Persian Army and became the king of the known world (Persia, at that time).

Gaugamela - The Battle That Changed The World

[choppedflapzipperhands]

Gaugamela: The Battle That Changed The World - 331 BC - Weird History Facts

The battle of Gaugamela was no doubt a decisive battle that changed the history of the world. Its triumph opened the door to the known world for the Macedonian Army. Alexander became the king of kings after this battle as he went on to defeat the remaining Persian Army and became the king of the known world (Persia, at that time).

Gaugamela - The Battle That Changed The World

[teenagekittendonut]

Gaugamela: The Battle That Changed The World - 331 BC - Weird History Facts

The battle of Gaugamela was no doubt a decisive battle that changed the history of the world. Its triumph opened the door to the known world for the Macedonian Army. Alexander became the king of kings after this battle as he went on to defeat the remaining Persian Army and became the king of the known world (Persia, at that time).

Gaugamela - The Battle That Changed The World