Revolt of Agis III of Sparta

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Revolt of Agis III of Sparta

• While Alex is away the spartans play

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Revolts back in Greece

• King Agis III of Sparta was determined to free
  the Greek States from Macedonian rule. He allied
  himself with the Persians to do this.

• Agis revolted near Corinth, in 333 BC and
  defeated a Macedonian General.
• Memnon revolted in Thrace, in 331 BC. Antipater
  had to leave Macedon (where Alexander had left
  him as H_____, with a big army)\
• While Antipater was distracted in Thrace, Agis
  revolted. He wanted Greece to become
  Anti-Macedonia. He got money boats from the
  Persians Greek mercenaries. Agis captured
  cities in Crete (island off Greece) and forced
  them to join Persian side. He gathered support of
  many Greek states, (army of 30, 000 men) However
  Athens refused to support Agis and Persia. (when
  had Athens previously seen punishment for when a
  state misbehaves?)
• Alexander left Antipater to sort this situation
  out
• The revolts ended when Antipater and Memnon
  agreed on a settlement. Antipater encouraged
  Memnon and the Thracians to oppose Agis,
  (gathered a force of 40, 000) and they destroyed
  Agis army, and killed Agis in battle.
• The League of Corinth, under Alexanders
  influence, decided to punish Sparta by taking 50
  Spartan nobles as hostages and forcing them to
  join the League of Corinth

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Gaugamela, a battle

• 331 BC
• Find it on your maps
• Alexanders army moved to confront Darius. Again
  his army was largely outnumbered by the Persian
  army (who was made up of many nationalities)
• Darius had prepared the battle ground by removing
  shrubs filling in potholes
• Parmenio advised Alexander to not fight straight
  away. Alexander took this advice. He was worried
  about th3 Persian Cavalry being so good.
• Alexander commanded his men to have a meal and
  rest. Darius kept his on standby all night.
  Arrian sees this as a major error in judgement.

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Deployment of Troops
Darius Army Alexanders army (built up in numbers from Mercenaries from which battle?)
On the Persian left A mixture of cavalry and infantry. Cavalry under command of Bessus (satrap of Sogdiana) In the centre Darius himself, flanked by Greek Mercenaries, his bodyguard, royal horse guard indian cavalry.In front of them were scythe-chariots (chariots with knives forked in the wheels) elephants On the right Cavalry in 2 groups under command of Mazeus, Satrap of Bactria On the right Opposite Bessus, the companions led by Philotas, with Cleitus in command of the Royal squadron. Alexander lead the Hypaspists. in the centre The Phalanx and the greek cavalry. A second line of infantry behind. On the left Opposite Mazaeus, Parmenio and the Thessalian Cavalry.
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Events in the battle

1. Darius launched a cavalry attack on Alexanders
   right flank, to break through and get behind.
2. Darius launched the elephants and scythe-chariots
   against the Phalanx. The attack largely failed.
   Many chariots and elephans were stopped by a
   group of lancers placed there. The rest of the
   Elephants an Scythe-chariots put terror into the
   Phalanx but because of their training and
   discipline thy were able to open their ranks to
   create corridors for the charging elephants to
   go through.
3. After the failure of the elephants, Darius
   ordered a general attack, Mazaeus launched
   against Parmenios wing.
4. The rest of the cavalry were sent to help Bessus
   on Alexanders right. This caused a gap to open
   in the Persian line, to the left of the centre.

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Events in the battle

• Alexander was waiting for the opportunity for a
  gap to appear and advanced towards Darius. But he
  was held up by Dairus bodyguards and Greek
  Mercenaries.
• Darius, standing on his chariot decided the
  battle was lost and fled (which other battle did
  he do this in?) Bessus and the Bactrian cavalry
  followed Darius.
• Parmenio was hard pressed by Mazaeus so he
  called for help. Instead of chasing Darius,
  Alexander went to help him.
• On the way to Parmenio Alexander encountered the
  Persian royal guard and other troops trying to
  excape. There was a fierce battle . Many
  companions were killed.
• By the time Alexander got to Parmenio he was no
  longer needed. Mazaeus had heard about Darius
  flight and followed also.

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Paul Artus

• P.57-59
• Read over and take additional notes on the detail
  that this powerpoint missed out
• Workbooks, Gaugamela worksheet

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After the battle

• How was Alexanders victory significant? What did
  it illustrate about him as a military leader?
• Alexander chased Darius through the night but
  failed to capture or kill him. Darius headed for
  Media. Alexander decided on Babylon, to capture
  the main cities in the Persian Empire Babylon,
  Susa and Persepolis.