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Crimissos River (341 BC)

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Title
Crimissos River (341 BC)
Description
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. …
Publisher
Date
-341
Scenario#
514
Scenario Description
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, gave Craterus the phalanx in the center, and placed himself in person with the Companions on the right. 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. As he had at Issus, Darius turned and fled the field but the battle was not yet over. The Macedonian left was still hard pressed by the Persian cavalry. Alexander wheeled about and charged with the Companions into the Persian cavalry, 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.
Location
Fiumefreddo, Sicily
Battle Narrative
The Battle of the Crimissus was fought in 339 BC between a large Carthaginian army commanded by Asdrubal and Hamilcar and an army from Syracuse led by Timoleon. Timoleon attacked the Carthaginian army by surprise near the Crimissus river in western Sicily and won a great victory. When he defeated another much smaller force of Carthaginians shortly afterwards, Carthage sued for peace. The peace allowed the Greek cities on Sicily to recover and began a period of stability. However, another war between Syracuse and Carthage erupted after Timoleon's death, not long after Agathocles seized power in 317 BC.
Narrative Source
Combatants
Carthaginian
Syracusan
Additional Information
Sicilian Wars

Geolocation