CLASS DISCUSSION, FEBRUARY 29:
THE BATTLE OF ISSUS AND
RELATIONS WITH PERSIA, 333 BC
|
|
|
|
Thursday's class will focus on the year 333, including
the famous story of the Gordion knot, the battle of Issus and the correspondence
between Alexander and Darius III of Persia. Read to p. 243 in Green and
the appropriate primary sources in conjunction (up to the aftermath of
the battle of Issus, but not to Parmenio's sack of Damascus or Alexander's
journey to Byblos). One pair of students will lead the class discussion
on the following topic for 15-20 minutes:
-
The Battle of Issus & Relations
with the Persians
Keith Wallach, Dan Ware
The battle of Issus was one
of the great military engagements in the ancient world, but indecisive
in many ways. By the end of the battle, and the ensuing correspondence
between the Macedonian king and Darius III, what strategies had Alexander
developed to cope with Persian customs, religion and military techniques?
More importantly, as with the Battle of Granicus, to what extent does this
battle and the events surrounding it inform us about Alexander's long-range
and specific planning for the invasion? How do the sources assess the battle
and the correspondence?