A Close Call: Alexander Under Attack :
Alexander calling on his men to show their courage then LED his right wing across the river as they reached the middle of the river the Greeks came under a hail of javelin’s darts and arrows from the Persian line those that made it to the far Bank were immediately charged by the Persian cavalry Alexander was in the thick of the fighting he attacked where the whole mass of their Cavalry and leaders were stationed around him a desperate complex raged horses were jammed against horses and man against men the macedonians striving to drive the Persians away from the riverbank the Persians determined to prevent them Crossing and to push them back into the river Alexander’s attack seemed Reckless but he was buying time for the rest of his army to cross the river including the irresistible Macedonian phalanx then suddenly Alexander was fighting for his life charged by two Persian Nobles Rose Sassy’s Road up to Alexander and struck him on the head with his sword (13 :51) Charged by two Persian Nobles raw assassins rode up to Alexander and struck him on the head with his sword breaking off a piece of his helmet but the helmet broke the force of the blow and Alexander struck him down with his Lance then from behind spithridatti’s raised his sword against the king but black Titus son of dropped us anticipated his blood struck his arm and cut it off sword and all.
Victory at a Cost: Alexander’s Wrath :
now the Greek army was across the river and the Persian Cavalry faced a wall of Macedonian Spears most turned and fled speed and shock of Alexander’s attack meant Persia’s Greek mercenaries hadn’t even had time to join the battle Alexander in a blood Rage or possibly regarding these Greeks as traitors ignored their appeals for mercy The Mercenaries were surrounded on all sides and massacred Alexander had won a great victory Asia Minor now lay at his Mercy but the Persian Empire was still a land of immense wealth and power already it was mobilizing its vast resources to face him if Alexander was to conquer this Empire and take his place in history he’d next have to face Darius King of Kings himself.
Alexander’s Advance: Securing Asia Minor :
Now as Alexander approached Sardis capital of the Persian province of Lydia it’s Commander surrendered without a fight but before Alexander could Advance further he needed to neutralize Persian Naval power Persia had a powerful Fleet with major Naval bases around the Eastern Mediterranean that could potentially cut his lines of communication back to Greece rather than challenge the Persians at Sea Alexander decided to attack it’s nearest bases the Greek coastal cities of miletus and halikarnassus both put up determined resistance but were taken by winter the following spring of 333 BC Alexander continued his Advance into Lycia and phrygia at Guardian he was shown the legendary Guardian knot a prophecy said that whoever could unpick it would rule all Asia Alexander simply took his sword and sliced it in half meanwhile memland of Rhodes a skilled Greek General in Persian service lead Persian warships into the Aegean and captured the islands of chaos and lesbos bought after Menon sudden death from illness the offensive was abandoned.