Fropper.com Blogs – Free Blogging

ATHENS - GRECE

<< GREEKS | Main | earthguake 6,5 R hit GREECE YESTURDAY >>

Posted on: Dec 11, '07

THE BATTLE OF GRANIKOS RIVER (ALEXANDER THE GREAT)

       At the site of Granikos river,where the homonymous battle took place, the Persians decided to confront Alexander the great , cosidering that they were in an advantageous position . The river isn't deep and ease passable,ate the place where Persians had camped,where as its right shore,where the Greeks were going to pass,was high and steep.

   Alexander, after inspecting his army arruved at Granikos river and arrayed double the phalnx of the soldiers and created two wings of horsemen. The Persian infantry was arrayed back and wanted to prevent Alexander's passage particulary with their cavalry. Alexander, after having ivcited and encouraged the army, commanded to move forward. He got into the river guiding the right wing and at the same time Parmenion,the general,marched forward with the left wing. During approaching the opposite shore , they met a strong resistance from some Persians who were throwing javelins above the right shore and others from lower places getting into the river,too.
Macedonians tried to pass through the Persian cavalry but with no result. And , after the loss of many men,were repulsed and returned to the main body of the army, which was guided by Alexander. Then the battle was repeated even more forceful.
Macedonians wanted to drive the Persians out of the shore to the plain and the Persians wanted to prevent their passing and throw them into the river again. Finally, the soldiers around Alexander passed to the plain because they had the advantage to be experienced in using the long lance, which was incoparably more fearful in relation to the short Persian javelin. The Macedonians, who were in the middle and at the left wing.went up more casly and at the same time, the left wing of Persians were forced to retreat and then the war was transfered from the river shore to the near plain. Here, Alexander fought among the first and rushed towards the Persian leaders,enraging them who hurt him seriusly but his attendants saved their king and after tough coflicts broke the cavalry of the enemies. The king commanded the phalanx and the adjutants to attack at the front to the ifantry and the cavalry to protant it from all sides. This last fight's result was obvius. Not only the Persian infantry was amaller in number but after it was surrounded,it was hit at the sides which were not covered by the armors and it was destroyed very gouckly.

   According to historian Arrianos,only 2000 men of the opposite array were saved from 20.000 . The Persian leaders, after making the mistake to carry out the fight mainly only with the cavalry without using theur excelent infantry at the critical moment when the Macedonians passed the river,they made an even worse mistake, that is to abandon it at the disposal of a more numerous and victorious enemy. The damage at cavalry was relativerrrrly smaller. Horsemen weren't killed, exept than one thousand, approximately but many Persian leaders were killed,because they were in danger in the first row fighting against Alexander and his atendants.

   Alexander's victory was splendid and destructive, but , it said that his army lost a few soldiers.
Macedonian army lost only 1265 men,while the enemies lost 20.000 . After the victory, Alexander took care of the wounded men , visited them,consoled and praised them.He also buried the Persians and the mercenary Greeks , who marched against Alexander with the enemies and were killed.

    He charged Lysippos,the famous sculptor to make 25 statues of copper to honor his soldiers. He reliased the parents and children of the dead frome every tax and personal service. He sent 300 Persian armors to Athens and devoted them to godness Minerva to honor himself and his army.

   The greatest reward was the Alexander almost became the ruler of the whole Asia Minor because there was no other hostile power to resist him there.-

Tags:

6 Comment(s) |

Share | Permalink [?] |

Digg!

Post Rating:

[ Votes: 1 ]

Comments [ 6 Comments ] [ Post your comment | Subscribe (?) ]

khaja143 said:
GREAT N BRAVE MAN, GREAT HISTORY- TANKS

January 13, '08

alamara2000 said:
Very informative, thanks for that story, and we know now what changed history.Shows that Alexander was truly the great.

December 11, '07

southindianzone said:
Nice historical story.Thanks

December 11, '07

ts-1 said:
The fierce spirit,iron resolution and mathematical strategy are simply Alexander's ardent brain-children.Whoelse but Alexander could have achieved such a fit !!!

December 11, '07

DraculVanHelsing said:
And with that great battle, the course of the history of the world was changed.

December 11, '07

rosline said:
oh...gr8... very informatine.. this the rirst time I am hearing this story...!!! thank u 4 the information..

December 11, '07

Want to comment on this post?

Register now, its FREE, and share your views.
Already a member? Login now.

About Me

GREECE2002's ezBlog