May 334 BC · Asia Minor Theater
May 334 BC
Alexander's first battle on Asian soil. Crossing the Granicus River against fortified Persian cavalry positions on the far bank, Alexander personally led the Companion Cavalry in a frontal charge that broke the Persian line. He was nearly killed when a Persian nobleman's axe split his helmet — saved only by Cleitus the Black cutting off the arm. The Persian satraps were routed; Greek mercenaries who surrendered were enslaved for fighting against fellow Greeks. Asia Minor lay open.
Commanders