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Battle of Gaugamela: Alexander Versus Darius

By Barry Porter | Military History  | 6 comments  | Print This Post  | Email This Post

In the preceding century, Macedonian military inventions—in particular the phalanx—had converted the Macedonian army into a fine instrument of war. But under a less talented general, the army might still have been overwhelmed by the sheer weight of Persian numbers. Alexander’s superior tactical judgment, added to his ability to sift through reports rapidly and deduce events as they unfolded in the chaos of battle, enabled him to overcome superior numbers with minimal losses. Alexander later claimed that about 500 of his men were killed at Gaugamela and some 5,000 wounded, while the most conservative (and perhaps least exaggerated) estimate of Persian dead was 40,000.

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In strategic terms, there can be no doubt that the battle’s outcome changed the course of history. As a result of Alexander’s victory at Gaugamela, western Asia would remain under Hellenic sovereignty in succeeding centuries. Much of the world would be influenced and largely molded by the amenities of classical Greek education, literature, art and science.

One campaign, one victory, one man accomplished that.

For further reading, Colorado-based author Stormie Filson recommends: The Campaign of Gaugamela, by E.W. Marsden; and The Nature of Alexander, by Mary Renault.


This article was written by Barry Porter and originally published in Great Battles: Battles of Antiquity Special Issue of Military History Magazine. For more great articles, subscribe to Military History magazine today!

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  1. 6 Comments to “Battle of Gaugamela: Alexander Versus Darius”

  2. Hola

    By johnny on Nov 24, 2008 at 10:52 am

  3. This was one of the greatest battles of all time! Alexander earned his place in history at such a young, age and point in history. He showed boldness and a calm sense of that old saying, “Slow and steady wins the race”. Some have said that without him, there would of never been a western world! wether thats true or not, it can only be left up to a formal, agreeable, debate. In the end Alexander was truly the greatest, but the question remains . . . will there ever be another to equal him or even be greater?

    By Alexander on Dec 4, 2008 at 1:08 pm

  4. what book or resource did the author get his facts

    By hello on Feb 4, 2009 at 1:46 pm

  5. Really great….http://the-magazines.com

    By jackson on Feb 20, 2009 at 8:06 am

  6. Are the dates given in your Alexander the Great articles in Old Style or New Style dates? It would be most helpful to know, thank you very much.
    Albert Stephens

    By Albert Stephens on Apr 5, 2009 at 9:56 pm

  7. I love history mostly the battle of gaugamela
    thank you for putting out this web so everyone can know HISTORY!!!!!

    By starr psalm on May 13, 2009 at 4:39 pm

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