Gaugamela (331 BC)

Rather than pursue Darius after the victory at Issus (333), Alexander turned south to neutralize the Persian fleet. In a two-year campaign he captured Tyre and Gaza, and conquered Egypt. In 331, Alexander marched into Mesopotamia, intent on attacking Babylon. …

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Rather than pursue Darius after the victory at Issus (333), Alexander turned south to neutralize the Persian fleet. In a two-year campaign he captured Tyre and Gaza, and conquered Egypt. In 331, Alexander marched into Mesopotamia, intent on attacking Babylon. Darius had raised another army, strong in cavalry but lacking in good infantry. The two armies met on the plain of Gaugamela. Darius posted cavalry on the right and the left, and occupied the center with his Greek mercenaries, guard cavalry, elephants and chariots. Alexander placed the Thessalian horse on the left, while taking charge of the phalanx in the center and the Companions on the right in person. The Persian line extended well beyond both flanks of the Macedonian formation. To counter, Alexander moved diagonally as he advanced, refusing his left. Darius ordered his mounted troops forward. The Macedonian right managed to hold their attackers just long enough for Alexander to charge with his Companions and heavy infantry straight for Darius. Again, Darius turned and fled the field, but the battle was not quite over. The Macedonian left was still hard pressed by the Persian cavalry. Alexander wheeled about and charged with the Companions into the Persians, forcing them back. Soon the entire Persian army was in retreat. Gaugamela is one of the truly decisive battles of history, and marked the beginning of Alexander’s great empire. This battle is also considered the classic example of penetration tactics.

Erbil, Iraq

The Battle of Gaugamela, also called the Battle of Arbela, was the decisive battle of Alexander the Great's invasion of the Persian Achaemenid Empire. In 331 BC Alexander's army of the Hellenic League met the Persian army of Darius III near Gaugamela, close to the modern city of Dohuk in Iraqi Kurdistan. Though heavily outnumbered, Alexander emerged victorious due to his army's superior tactics and his deft employment of light infantry. It was a decisive victory for the Hellenic League and led to the fall of the Achaemenid Empire.

Wikipedia: Battle of Gaugamela

Macedonian

Persian

Alexander The Great