Cover photo: The Agrianes’ successful confrontation with the formidable Persian Scythe-Chariots at the battle of Gaugamela, as illustrated by the French painter André Castaigne who also created more than 36 works of art for Alexander the Great during the period 1898-99.

After the conquest of Egypt, Alexander, having stayed for a period in Tyre, departed in the spring of 331 BC, heading towards the interior of Asia by crossing Mesopotamia. Simultaneously, Darius III gathered his army from the eastern provinces at Gaugamela, a village near Arbela (modern-day Erbil in northern Iraq). Both adversaries were aware that the upcoming battle would determine who would dominate all of Asia.

The Agrianes, now numbering 2,000 men with reinforcements from mainland Greece, divided into two units. One, led by Attalus and supported by Macedonian archers under Bricinnus, covered the right flank of the Companions, who charged fiercely against the Carian cavalry, Greek mercenaries, and the elite infantry of Darius. The other half of the Agrianes lined up in front of the royal marsh, alongside the remaining cavalry of the Companions with the archers and javelin throwers of Balacrus. Their mission was to eliminate the formidable scythe-chariots, which they executed excellently.

As the onslaught of the chariots began, the Agrianes and Balacrus’s skirmishers welcomed them with a rain of projectiles. Charioteers fell, and horses sprawled on the ground, succumbing to accurate shots. Several javelin throwers climbed onto the unmanned chariots, seizing the reins, while others pulled down the riders who were unable to maneuver, surrounded by the agile light infantry. Some even slaughtered the useless horses, rendering the chariots ineffective. Also, a similar fate awaited their drivers.

Following this bloody and strategically crucial victory, the Macedonian king entered Babylon and then Susa, proceeding to the Persian Gates, where the next challenging battle awaited. Ariobarzanes, the satrap of Persis, defended the Gates with about 40,000 infantry and 700 horsemen. But after an unsuccessful frontal assault and significant losses, Alexander devised a new plan. Leading his Hypaspists, the Pezhetairoi, archers, Agrianes, and additional Companion cavalry, Alexander set out during the night of January 20, 330 BC, from an alternative, rugged path, approximately 100 stadia (about 18.5 km) away from the Gates. Before dawn, he encountered three advanced units of the Persians, taking them completely by surprise. Two of these units were annihilated, and the third scattered chaotically in the mountains, failing to return to their commander and inform him.

As daylight broke, Alexander initiated an attack on the enemy camp. Simultaneously, two more units, one under Amyntas, Philotas, and Coenus, and the other under Ptolemy, assaulted. Chaos ensued in the Persian lines, with trapped soldiers desperately searching for an escape route in vain.”

“Subsequently, the Agrianes participated in the relentless pursuit of Darius south of the Caspian Sea, reaching the Median city of Rhaga. They marched for 11 exhausting days, but the Persian king managed to escape. After the overthrow and death of Darius, orchestrated by the former Persian satrap Bessus, the pursuit and campaign continued into Hyrcaniawhere new challenges awaited them..”

Bibliography

Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander, 2^nd century A.D.

Plutarch, Life of Alexander, 1^st century A.D.

S. English, “The Army of Alexander the Great”, published by Pen & Sword Military, South Yorkshire, 2009.