“There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” Alexander the Great (Great). Alexander the Great was an ancient Greek conqueror who created one of the largest empires known to mankind. Taking a stand in history is when a person, group of people, or an idea attempts to overcome a problem regardless of opposition. A prime example of someone who took a stand is Alexander the Great. Alexander the Great took a stand in history when he conquered the Persian Empire, spreading Greek culture affecting modern society globally to this day. Alexander the Great was born in a time when he was able to make changes even during his early years. He was born around July 20, 356 BC in Pella, Greece. In 328-326 BC, Roxane, an Indian princess, married Alexander
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Alexander believed very much in following his father’s path in conquering the Persians. Both he and Darius had great battle strategies and preparations for the Battle of Gaugamela. Alexander had many skilled strategies to battle previous to Gaugamela (History.com). Darius carefully chose Gaugamela for the next battle site (Wasson). Gaugamela was a wide plain for Darius to use his chariots, elephants, many men, and could place obstacles and traps in the field (Wasson; Hickman). Alexander had about 7,000 cavalry and 40,000 infantry at Gaugamela. Darius had about 40,000 cavalry, 1,000,000 infantry and 200 scythed chariots (Rufus). It may have seemed Darius had the advantage in this battle at first. Alexander made his camp a few miles from Darius’ (Wasson; Hickman). Alexander assembled a small scouting party to observe Darius. While scouting, the party found an advance party Darius had sent out and some of them were captured. Out of these men, some were more willing to share Darius’ numbers, traps, and obstacle locations. He held a meeting with his generals the night before the battle (Wasson). Parmenion, one of Alexander’s top generals, suggested the Persians would strike at night but Alexander thought otherwise (Wasson; Hickman). Alexander made sure his men were well fed and rested before the battle (Wasson). Darius anticipated a night battle and kept his men up all night making them tired and …show more content…
At the start of the battle, Alexander moved his side to the right at an oblique angle and the Persians moved to the left trying to outflank Alexander. As the Persians kept moving left, a gap opened, Alexander moved his men into a wedge, moving left and into the clearing, charging Darius (Wasson). Darius then attacked with his chariots which caused the phalanx to open ranks, allowing the chariots to pass through (Wasson; Hickman). Hand-to-hand combat soon followed after the chariots passed through (Wasson). Alexander advanced on the Persians moving obliquely right (Hickman). His cavalry rode down the Persian line as a gap opened between Darius’ and Bessus’ men (Wasson; Hickman). Alexander saw the gap and went for Darius (Langley, 19). If Alexander did not decide to go for Darius then the spread of Greek culture may not have occurred. He then threw a spear at Darius and it missed him by inches (Wasson). Darius then fled as well as many of his men (Hunter, 26-27; Hickman). Alexander went to aid Parmenion because of high pressure from Mazaeus and Persian cavalry passing through the Macedonian line. The cavalry looted the base rather than attacking the left from the
Alexander believed very much in following his father’s path in conquering the Persians. Both he and Darius had great battle strategies and preparations for the Battle of Gaugamela. Alexander had many skilled strategies to battle previous to Gaugamela (History.com). Darius carefully chose Gaugamela for the next battle site (Wasson). Gaugamela was a wide plain for Darius to use his chariots, elephants, many men, and could place obstacles and traps in the field (Wasson; Hickman). Alexander had about 7,000 cavalry and 40,000 infantry at Gaugamela. Darius had about 40,000 cavalry, 1,000,000 infantry and 200 scythed chariots (Rufus). It may have seemed Darius had the advantage in this battle at first. Alexander made his camp a few miles from Darius’ (Wasson; Hickman). Alexander assembled a small scouting party to observe Darius. While scouting, the party found an advance party Darius had sent out and some of them were captured. Out of these men, some were more willing to share Darius’ numbers, traps, and obstacle locations. He held a meeting with his generals the night before the battle (Wasson). Parmenion, one of Alexander’s top generals, suggested the Persians would strike at night but Alexander thought otherwise (Wasson; Hickman). Alexander made sure his men were well fed and rested before the battle (Wasson). Darius anticipated a night battle and kept his men up all night making them tired and …show more content…
At the start of the battle, Alexander moved his side to the right at an oblique angle and the Persians moved to the left trying to outflank Alexander. As the Persians kept moving left, a gap opened, Alexander moved his men into a wedge, moving left and into the clearing, charging Darius (Wasson). Darius then attacked with his chariots which caused the phalanx to open ranks, allowing the chariots to pass through (Wasson; Hickman). Hand-to-hand combat soon followed after the chariots passed through (Wasson). Alexander advanced on the Persians moving obliquely right (Hickman). His cavalry rode down the Persian line as a gap opened between Darius’ and Bessus’ men (Wasson; Hickman). Alexander saw the gap and went for Darius (Langley, 19). If Alexander did not decide to go for Darius then the spread of Greek culture may not have occurred. He then threw a spear at Darius and it missed him by inches (Wasson). Darius then fled as well as many of his men (Hunter, 26-27; Hickman). Alexander went to aid Parmenion because of high pressure from Mazaeus and Persian cavalry passing through the Macedonian line. The cavalry looted the base rather than attacking the left from the