The Field Campaigns of Alexander the Great by Stephen English

Author:Stephen English
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781844687428
Publisher: Pen & Sword Military
Published: 2018-01-16T05:00:00+00:00

Topography of the Battlefield

Only Arrian and Curtius provide us with any useful topographical details of the battlefield, the main feature being its flatness, save for the nearby mound of Tell Gomel, and the presence of two rivers. Arrian tells us that Darius pitched camp on the river Boumelus, the modern Boumodus noting that the estimated distance from Arbela was 600 stades. Later he notes varying estimates of the distance, ranging from 500–600 stades.248 The second river, the Lycus, was located behind Darius' lines and only crossed by Alexander while in pursuit of Darius after the battle. The Lycus is now known as the Great Zab, and is around 32km directly east of the battlefield. Curtius is a little more precise in his information regarding the two rivers; he tells us that Darius left his baggage train at Arbela, bridged the Lycus River, and advanced the 80 stades to the eventual battlefield.249 Curtius' figure of 80 stades is an underestimate as it is about half the actual distance travelled.

The location of Gaugamela seems almost certain. Ever since the nineteenth century it has been known that the mound of Tell Gomel etymologically preserves the name of Gaugamela; the mound itself, however, proved difficult to locate accurately. Modern estimates of the distance between Arbela and Gaugamela vary between 80 and 95km.

Both Arrian and Curtius mention a range of hills in front of the Persian position.250 Arrian notes that Alexander crested these hills the night before the battle, and sighted the enemy some 60 stades away. These hills are almost certainly the Jebel Maqlub range. In order to take up his position, Darius would have had to turn off the Royal Road before reaching Manqube, and march a significant distance to the north. This movement matched Curtius' march of 80 stades, as well as allowing for the advance of 10 stades in order of battle.

Of the topography of the battlefield itself, there is little that can be said. The Persians had taken up position in a vast featureless plain; they had evidently taken some time before Alexander's arrival to level the area artificially to allow for deployment of their cavalry and scythed chariots. The only topographical feature of note was a stretch of ground that remained untouched by the Persians, evidently a range of hills.251 Darius either did not have time to level this area, or felt they were too far to his left to feature in the battle. As always, however, Alexander chose not to fight on his enemies' chosen ground, but upon his own, and his movement towards these foothills on his right enabled this.

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