The Battle of the Granicus River in May 334 BC was the first major battle between Alexander the Great and the Persian Empire. Alexander led his cavalry across the river and engaged the Persians, nearly being killed before his general Cleitus saved him. Alexander's forces defeated the Persians, killing 18,000 mercenaries. This victory allowed Alexander to begin conquering the Persian Empire's territories in Asia Minor.

1. By: Rebecca Lee Date: August, 24th, 2009 Granicus River 334 B.CAlexander versus the persians

3. 18,000 mercenaries were killed and 2,000 enslaved and sent back to Macedonia in chains for hard labor.

5. In 336 B.C.E. Phillip was assassinated and 20 year old Alexander took the throne of Macedonia.

6. Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), conquered the Persian Empire and annexed it to Macedonia, and is considered one of the greatest military geniuses of all times.

7. He is the first king to be called "the Great." Parmenion: (c.400-330): most trusted general of the Macedonian king Philip II, loyal supporter of Alexander the Great, but murdered on a false charge of treason.

10. small river, or large creek, in Çanakkale Province of north western Turkey. It is located approximately 50 km to the east of the Dardanelles. It flows past the towns of ÇanBiga and enters the Sea of Marmara at Karabiga.

13. Alexander crossed the Hellespont, which is the strait between the Aegean and the Sea of Marmara that separates European Turkey from Asian Turkey, with the intent on conquering the mighty Persian Empire.

14. The first major battle came at the Granicus River. Alexander led his elite Companion cavalry across the river to the Persians. It worked, almost too well. Alexander was nearly killed when the Persians counterattacked, but the tactic worked.

15. Alexander’s Macedonian phalanxes were able to cross the river and defeat the Persian army.

17. The Persians settled on relatively poor and remote lands where they were little troubled by first the Elamites to their west, then the Assyrians who destroyed the Elamites around 640 BC, and then the Medes (to their north) and resurgent Babylonians who conquered Assyria in 609 BC.

18. The early Persian economy was based on herding because the land was so poor for agriculture. The Persians attributed their toughness to the meager lifestyle to which they had been acclimated for generations.

20. Also, the deaths of Persian leaders which ultimately affected the overall strength of the Persian army. Satraps are governors of Persian provinces and through this battle, Alexander defeated these Persian governors.

21. Those of who were in Asia Minor were liberated of Persian rule.