The Battle of Issus in 333 BC was fought between Alexander the Great's army and the Persian army led by Darius III. By maneuvering north toward Issus, Alexander ensured the battle would be fought in a narrow space, limiting the numerical advantage of Darius' larger forces. Alexander's cavalry, especially the Companions, proved decisive, smashing through the Persian lines. Though Darius escaped, the victory allowed Alexander to gain control of Phoenicia and defeat the Great King, though Darius remained alive.

1. The Battle of Issus, 333 BC

2. Background to the Battle
• While ill in Tarsus Alexander hears
that Darius and his army are
marching toward them.
• Alexander races to Issus, where he
expects to meet Darius.
• Darius moves north, and advances
towards Alexander’s rear.

3. A note about the Battle site…
• If Alexander had stayed where he was
camped, the Battle would have been
fought on flat, wide, open plains.
• By moving north towards Issus again,
however, Alexander ensured that the
Battle would be fought in a narrow space
between the sea and the hills, thus
removing Darius’ numerical advantage

5. The two armies meet across the
River Pinarus

6. 2 versions of the Battle
• The events of the Battle of Issus are
generally agreed
• The order in which they happened is more
controversial

7. The quick easy victory
• Alexander’s Companion cavalry smashes
through the inexperienced Persian archers
and drives around the rear of the Persian
lines

8. River Pinarus
Greek mercenariesHeavy cavalry
Infantry
Archers
D
Macedonian phalanxThessalian cavalry Companions Light troops

9. The slow hard victory
• Alexander’s Thessalian cavalry held the
line on the left (just)
• The Phalanx was broken in the centre
• Alexander’s cavalry charge is a last resort

10. River Pinarus
Greek mercenariesHeavy cavalry
Infantry
Archers
D
Macedonian phalanxThessalian cavalry Companions Light troopsMacedonian phalanx
Greek mercenaries

11. After the Battle
• Callisthenes said 110,000 Persians died in
the Battle, for the loss of 302
Macedonians
• Though the figures are exaggerated, it is
clear that the Battle was won because of
the Companion cavalry
• As soon as it was clear that he had won,
Alexander set off in pursuit of Darius, but
he never caught up with the Great King

12. • Darius’ wife, mother and children had been
captured in the Battle, but were treated well
by Alexander
• Again, Alexander visited the wounded
• The captured loot at the end of the Battle
included:
– 2,600 talents of coins, 500lbs of silver
– 7000 pack animals
– 329 female musicians and 306 cooks, 13 pastry
chefs, 70 wine waiters, 40 scent makers
– Two of Alexander’s future wives (Barsine,
Memnon’s widow, and Stateira, Darius’ eldest
daughter)

13. Effects of the Battle of Issus
• The coast of Phoenicia was now opened
up, and Alexander now controlled the
ports along it
• Alexander had now defeated the Great
King Darius and captured his family, but
Darius was still alive and Alexander could
not rightfully call himself King of Asia…yet!