11.

Gaugamela - Plutarch
The battle of Gaugamela…
6 positives of Alexander’s generalship
 Alex 3-0 Persians: Game, Set and Match?
The Battle of Gaugamela
“Anyone
Learning Objectives: for tennis?”

1.To learn Alexander’s

performance according to
Plutarch
2.To learn how Plutarch
describes the battle
3.To learn the similarities
and differences between
Arrian’s and Plutarch’s
accounts
 Alexander the Great, 356 – 323 BC

1. U pb ri n g i n g ,
c t e r s 3. Events in
ch a r a
i e f s Alexander’s l
a nd b e l if e

2. Alexander’s
4. The
campaigns o ni an
Ma c ed
and battles
army
 e r o n e a , 33 8 B C
Battle of Cha
o f P h il i p, 3 36 BC
Assassination
h e b e s , 3 35 B C
Sack of T
i t to Tro y , 3 3 4 BC
Vis
s R iv e r , 3 3 4 B C
Battle of Granicu
ord i um , 3 34 / 3 BC
Alexander at G

o f Is s u s , 3 3 3 B C
Battle
e o f T y r e, 3 3 2 BC
Sieg
a m e la , 3 3 1 B C
Battle of Gaug
Talking point:

Can you explain

Alexander’s tactics
at Gaugamela?
 Alexander runs his
Darius flees cavalry across the Persian
Persian chariots engage lines out of the
prepared battle area.
Bactrian Cavalry
Persian bodyguard and scythe chariots
Syrians

Alexander hears of Parmenio’s

problem on the Left flank.

Persian’s retreat on hearing Meanwhile,

Alexander Persian cavalry
‘wheels’
Phalanx trained to Run straight into hidden
of Darius’ flight. split on sight of chariots. Companions into
Troops and Peltasts
Phalanx advances. gap in Persian line Persian
The main - cavalry
able to attack takes the bait and
Darius
Heavy Persian cavalry follows Alexander.
attack on Parmenio’s personally
left flank.

Battle field prepared by

Persians to allow chariot attack.
The night before the battle, Plutarch tell us…

os
Alexanderoboffered
Ph phro di te
and A
sacrifice to the
res
Son of A

god Fear. K no w n fo r a c
a
c
r
o
a
m
l o
p
n
a
g
n
w
yi
i
n
th
g
:
t o w

?
es i n

y
A r

Enyo (wa
r)
Eris
(discord) W h Deimos
(terror)
 Read 31 together

Make a n o t e o n t h e
a r i us v s A l ex a n d e r”
“D
m oc k f ig h t .
 Plutarch v31 - 33
Verses 31+32 Verse 33
1. How many men has Darius gathered? v31 1. What does Alexander give his men before the
battle?
2. What had Darius’ troops been doing the night
before the battle and what had Alexander's 2. What bird is spotted above Alexander’s head
troops done? and what does it represent?

3. What was Parmenio’s advice and what was 3. How is Darius described?
Alexander’s reaction? Why does he say this?
End of v31 4. Why did Darius’ men flee?

1. What was Alexander doing on the morning of 5. How does Darius escape?
the battle? v32
1. What does Plutarch blame Parmenio for and
2. Who was the Persian commander attacking how does Plutarch rate Parmenio’s
Parmenio on the left flank? v32 performance at Gaugamela?

3. What is Alexander’s comment to Parmenio’s

pleas for help during the battle? V32 2nd
paragraph

COPY: A vivid description of the slaughter of the Persian troops given,

including Darius’ reactions
Key points
• Plutarch describes Darius as standing out physically

• Alexander with Companions and Phalanx drive back Persians

and Darius’ guards flee fairly quickly

• A vivid description of the slaughter of the Persian troops given,

including Darius’ reactions

• Alexander described as being feared by the Persians

• Some info on the embarrassing flight of Darius on a mare

• Alexander’s failure to catch Darius attributed to the arrival of the

second message from Parmenio asking for help, Parmenion in
this battle is seen as “sluggish, lacking in spirit” either
because he was old or jealous of Alexander…and has “lost his
wits”
Arrian Both Plutarch
Alexander
clip - Mummy!
Gaugamela

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Homework:

Babylonian
astronomical
diary
 Alex 3-0 Persians: Game, Set and Match?
The Battle of Gaugamela
“Anyone
Learning Objectives: for tennis?”

1.To learn Alexander’s

performance according to
Plutarch
2.To learn how Plutarch
describes the battle
3.To learn the similarities
and differences between
Arrian’s and Plutarch’s
accounts