The (Other) Lord of Asia (video)

BBC; Alexandros1821; Wisdom Quarterly

  

In the footsteps of Alexander the Great

Alexander shown as Nordic-style Greek god

The Battle of Gaugamela (Greek, Γαυγάμηλα) took place in 331 BCE between Alexander the Great and Darius III of Persia. The battle, which is also called the Battle of Arbela, resulted in a massive victory for the Ancient Macedonians and led to the fall of the Achaemenid Empire.

During the two years after the Battle of Issus, Alexander proceeded to occupy the Mediterranean coast and Egypt. He then advanced from Syria against the heart of the Persian empire. Alexander crossed both the Euphrates and the Tigris rivers without any opposition. 

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Darius was building up a massive army, drawing men from the far reaches of his empire. He planned to use numbers to crush Alexander, and according to some contemporary historians he gathered around 100,000 men. Darius also picked a flat plain for a battlefield so Alexander would have no advantages in terrain, allowing Darius to use his vast horde more effectively.
  

Detail of Alexander mosaic

After the battle, Parmenion rounded up the Persian baggage train while Alexander and his own bodyguard pursued Darius. As at Issus, substantial amounts of loot were gained following the battle, with 4,000 talents captured, as well as the King's personal chariot and bow. The war elephants were also captured. In all, it was a disastrous defeat for the Persians and possibly one of Alexander's most decisive victories.
 
Darius had managed to escape the battle with a small core of his forces remaining intact. The Bactrian cavalry and Bessus managed to catch up with him, as did some of the survivors of the Royal Guard. Alexander continued on through Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and on into India.