Gaugamela and Persepolis

Ancient readings:
Arrian 3.6-18
Curtius Rufus 4.9-5.7
Diodorus 17.53-72
Justin 11.12-14
Plutarch: Alexander 29-37

Modern Readings:
Devine, A. M. "The Battle of Gaugamela: A Tactical and Source-Critical Study." Ancient World 12 (1986): 87-115
Green on this battle?
Balcer, J. M. "Alexander's Burning of Persepolis." Iranica Antiqua 13 (1978): 119-133.
Hammond, N. G. L. "The Archaeological and Literary Evidence for the Burning of the Persepolis Palace." Classical Quarterly 42 (1992): 358-364.
Borza, E. "Fire from Heaven: Alexander at Persepolis." CPh 67 (1972): 233-245.
Morrison, G. "Alexander, Combat Psychology, and Persepolis." Antichthon 35 (2001): 30-44

Questions:

  1. What does Darius' strategy seem to be leading up to Gaugamela (Arbela)? How does Alexander respond?
  2. What are Darius' final offers to Alexander at this point? How does Alexander respond? What do Alexander's responses reveal about his own aims and his relations with his generals? Can we see factions forming within the army?
  3. What do the Babylonian sources reveal about this time period? What do they show us about the accuracy of the Greek and Roman sources?
  4. How are Alexander's tactics at Gaugamela different from previous battles? How does he neutralize Darius' advantages?
  5. Why does Alexander not pursue Darius after the battle? What do his longer term plans seem to be at this stage in the campaign?
  6. What is Alexander's attitude towards conquered peoples now? How in particular does he treat Persians, and what does this reveal about him and his aims?
  7. What kind of propaganda does Alexander seem to be engaging in now? What is he trying to accomplish?
  8. What are Alexander's relations like with his own army following Gaugamela?
  9. Why does Diodorus include such a lengthy description of Persepolis?
  10. Why does Alexander destroy Persepolis? Is it an accident, or an act of deliberate policy? How does it fit in with his current aims?
  11. How do the ancient historians differ in their reactions to the burning of Persepolis? How does this fit in with their larger portrayals of Alexander so far?
© Charles E. Muntz 2011-2024