October 1, 331 BC · Mesopotamia (modern northern Iraq) Theater
October 1, 331 BC
Darius chose the open plain of Gaugamela specifically to allow his numbers — perhaps 250,000 men — room to envelop Alexander's 47,000. He leveled the ground for his scythed chariots and positioned elephants on his wings. Alexander's response was oblique: he angled his advance to the right, drawing the Persian left after him, opening a gap in the Persian center. At the critical moment, Alexander wheeled left with the Companion Cavalry and drove through the gap directly toward Darius. As at Issus, Darius fled. His flight caused the Persian army to dissolve. It was over in hours. Alexander pursued through the night but Darius escaped east again.
Commanders