Battle+of+Gaugamela

=Battle of Gaugamela =


 * Who:** the Macedonian army (hoplites, light infantry, cavalry) led by Alexander the Great, vs. the Persian army (light and heavy infantry, Immortals, cavalry, chariots, war elephants) led by Darius III


 * What:** The Battle of Gaugamela was an overwhelming victory for Alexander over Darius. Darius threw the full weight of the military resources of his empire into this one battle, giving himself every advantage, going so far as to have the field cleared of shrubbery for the easy handling of his chariots. Darius arrayed his massive army with the infantry, fronted by chariots, in the center, and cavalry on both flanks, leading from the center. Alexander, as in the Battle of Issus, put his infantry on his left, under Parmenion, and personally led his cavalry on the right.

Alexander's tactics were unusual but highly effective. Greatly outnumbered, he had his flanks angled backwards as he advanced, drawing Persian forces away from their line, thus weakening the Persian center. He then led his cavalry and a detachment of light infantry in an angled, almost parallel manoeuver along the Persian front, inciting the Persian frontline cavalry to give chase. His light infantry then engaged the Persian cavalry, leaving the Macedonian cavalry free to break through Darius's now-vulnerable center. Darius's infantry, and Darius himself, fled in the face of this onslaught. Alexander then rode to the aid of his badly-outnumbered left flank. The battle ended in a complete rout for Darius; Alexander even captured most of his immediate family.


 * When:** October 331 BC


 * Where:** Tel Gomel, by Mosul


 * Why:** This battle, one of Alexander's greatest victories, marked the fall of the Persian Empire. Darius was murdered shortly thereafter by one of his own subordinates, and most of his satraps pledged their loyalty to Alexander.