Battle of Gaugamela
In 331 BC, Alexander’s army of an estimated 47,000 (according to Arrian) stood before the army of Darius of an estimated 1,040,000 soldiers (according to Arrian). Alexander’s military genius and the discipline King Philip had given to his army, were the key tactics Alexander had in order to beat Darius. Alexander wanted Persia, not only as his ambition but because also as his father’s ambition. Philip had created Macedonia into a very powerful nation, said to be the most powerful in Greece at the time. But he wanted it to be stronger. And in order to do this, he needed to defeat Darius in order to get the throne to the Persian Kingdom. If he were able to defeat Darius then he would obtain the largest empire of the time, increasing his strength by a large mass. It was also thanks to Aristotle (his tutor as a child) that Alexander had his eyes on Persia as Aristotle had emphasized that the road to live up to his full potential could be attained through war with Persia. It is because of these great wars that Alexander had faced and beaten which is the reason why he is still remembered today as Alexander that Great.
Before Alexander was able to face Darius, he had to do a few things beforehand. He defeated the Persians at Granicus in order to get Asia Minor. He then fought Darius in the Battle of Issus which ended with Darius fleeing and Alexander completing his takeover of Asia Minor. Alexander also conquered Tyre which he did in 332BC. He was always thinking ahead and he didn’t want to leave any advantages to Darius. Conquering Tyre meant that there were no longer any ports open for the Persian fleet, and he would gain control of all Phoenicia and Phoenician fleet and with this he could easily take control of Egypt and Greece. Between the time Alexander had gained control of Tyre to the time he and Darius went head to head at Gaugamela, Darius had offered Alexander friendship, (according to Arrian). Alexander refused to each offer, saying...