Alexander's Eastern Campaigns

Timeline

1. -334Dardanelles · AnatoliaAlexander inherited Philip II's plan of revenge against Persia, crossing the Dardanelles with about forty thousand troops into Asia Minor and winning his first victory at the Granicus River.
2. -333–-332Cilicia to Syria · CiliciaAfter defeating Darius III at Issus, the Macedonian army moved south to control Syria and Phoenicia, capturing Tyre after a prolonged siege and opening the road to Egypt.
3. -332–-331Egypt to Mesopotamia · MesopotamiaAlexander entered Egypt and was acclaimed as pharaoh, founding Alexandria on the Nile Delta; he then advanced east into Mesopotamia, winning a decisive victory over the Persian main force at Gaugamela.
4. -330–-327Persia to Bactria · Central AsiaAfter Darius III was assassinated in flight, Alexander captured Persepolis and burned the royal palace; he then continued east into Central Asia, conquering Bactria and Sogdiana.
5. -327–-323Indus Valley to Babylon · MesopotamiaAlexander advanced into the Indus Valley, defeating Porus at the Hydaspes, but turned back when his soldiers wearied of war; he retreated with difficulty through the Gedrosian desert to Babylon, planning further campaigns but dying there in 323 BCE.