The Battle of Gaugamela. The March to Gaugamela The Battle of Gaugamela - Background From his camp,...

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The Battle of Gaugamela

Transcript of The Battle of Gaugamela. The March to Gaugamela The Battle of Gaugamela - Background From his camp,...

Page 1: The Battle of Gaugamela. The March to Gaugamela The Battle of Gaugamela - Background From his camp, Alexander could see: He was outnumbered at least.

The Battle of Gaugamela

Page 2: The Battle of Gaugamela. The March to Gaugamela The Battle of Gaugamela - Background From his camp, Alexander could see: He was outnumbered at least.

The March to Gaugamela

Page 3: The Battle of Gaugamela. The March to Gaugamela The Battle of Gaugamela - Background From his camp, Alexander could see: He was outnumbered at least.

The Battle of Gaugamela - Background

From his camp, Alexander could see:

• He was outnumbered at least 5 to 1

• Darius had prepared the battlefield to suit the Persians.

Parmenio’s Advice:

• Attack at night to surprise Persians

Alexander’s Response:

“I will not steal victory like a thief”

(Arrian)

Page 4: The Battle of Gaugamela. The March to Gaugamela The Battle of Gaugamela - Background From his camp, Alexander could see: He was outnumbered at least.

The Battle of Gaugamela – Orders Prior to Battle

“Get a good sleep tonight – we attack in the morning”

“Stay alert tonight for a sneak attack.”

Page 5: The Battle of Gaugamela. The March to Gaugamela The Battle of Gaugamela - Background From his camp, Alexander could see: He was outnumbered at least.

The Battle of Gaugamela – Positioning of Troops

Persian Left:

• Cavalry and Infantry under satrap Bessus

Persian Centre:

• Darius with bodyguard of spearmen and horsemen, Gk Mercenaries, Indian Cavalry.

• In front were elephants and scythe chariots.

Persian Right:

• Massive group of cavalry under satrap Mazaeus

Page 6: The Battle of Gaugamela. The March to Gaugamela The Battle of Gaugamela - Background From his camp, Alexander could see: He was outnumbered at least.

The Battle of Gaugamela – Positioning of TroopsMacedonian

Right:

• Companion cavalry

• Extra Gk cavalry on right to

protect flank

Macedonian Centre:• Phalanx on oblique angle• Hypaspists• Extra phalanx with orders to face the rear if encircled.

Macedonian Left:

• Thessalian Cavalry under Parmenio

• Extra Gk cavalry on left to protect flank

Page 7: The Battle of Gaugamela. The March to Gaugamela The Battle of Gaugamela - Background From his camp, Alexander could see: He was outnumbered at least.

The Battle of Gaugamela

Page 8: The Battle of Gaugamela. The March to Gaugamela The Battle of Gaugamela - Background From his camp, Alexander could see: He was outnumbered at least.

The Course of the Battle1. Alex advanced to the right edge of the battlefield. Darius launched a cavalry attack to stop this.

2. Darius’ elephants and scythe-chariots attacked but they were stopped by lancers and ‘corridors’ created by the phalanx.

3. Darius ordered a general offensive. Mazaeus was launched against Parmenio’s wing and the rest of the cavalry were sent to help Bessus on Alexander’s right.

4. This caused a gap to open in the Persian line, to the left of the centre. Alexander, waiting for this opportunity, charged towards Darius

5. Darius decided that the battle was lost and fled. On his left, Bessus and the Bactrian cavalry followed.

6. Parmenio was hard pressed by Mazaeus and called for help. Alex did not chase after Darius but moved to assist Parmenio. He came across Persians trying to escape. Many Companions were killed in this fight.

7. By the time Alexander was able to get to Parmenio’s side he was no longer needed. Mazaeus escaped, pursued by Thessalians

Page 9: The Battle of Gaugamela. The March to Gaugamela The Battle of Gaugamela - Background From his camp, Alexander could see: He was outnumbered at least.

The Battle of Gaugamela – The Significance of the Victory

For Alexander:• He was ‘Lord of Asia’ at 25• He had destroyed Darius’s army and power• He had access to the key cities of the Persian Empire, including the vast wealth of the Persians.

For Darius:• He lost almost all power and prestige • He continued to flee from Alexander, until he was killed in Northern Persia in 329BC

Page 10: The Battle of Gaugamela. The March to Gaugamela The Battle of Gaugamela - Background From his camp, Alexander could see: He was outnumbered at least.

Alexander’s Military Expertise

1. Ordering his troops to rest the night before is good man management.

2. Positioning of the troops shows anticipation of a difficult situation where being outflanked was a strong possibility.

3. Diagonal movement towards edge of battlefield shows cunning through anticipation of Darius’s response.

4. Splitting of phalanx to deal with scythe chariots shows how well-drilled Alex’s troops were.

5. Decisive charge shows Alex’s ability to seize his opportunity to make a decisive break.

6. Decision not to pursue Darius is wise, because of need to preserve his own army.

Summary: Victory at Gaugamela was against enormous odds. This battle shows the full range of Alex’s skills as a general.