The battle was fought at a location known as the Persian Gate which was a very treacherous mountain pass in the Zagros Mountains. By now, the rear guard had entered the valley as well. This page was created in 2004; last modified on 24 September 2020. Mahall-e Nabard-e Aryo Barzan Sardar-e Rashid-e Irani wa Eskandar-e Maghduni" in. This was extremely disgraceful in Greek and Macedonian culture as dying on the battlefield was one of the highest honors and proper recovery and burial of the fallen was very important. Showing page 1. Linked. The Battle of the Persian Gates served as a kind of reversal of the Battle of Thermopylae, fought in Greece in 480 BC in an attempt to hold off the invading Persian forces. In the winter of 330 BC, Ariobarzanes led a last stand of the Persian forces [1] [2] against Alexander's forces and successfully held the Macedonian army at bay for 30 days. Alexander's general Parmenion was to take one half of the army along the Royal road, and the king himself took a more dangerous road through the Zagros mountains. (1848). The Persians were soon conquered after their stand. In the winter of 330 BC, Ariobarzanes led a last stand of the outnumbered Persian forces at the Persian Gates near Persepolis, holding back the Macedonian army for a month. Despite having dispatched the Uxians in what is known as the Battle of the Uxian Defile, Alexander did not see the upcoming ambush that Ariobarzanes had set for him. He wanted to invade Persia proper before the winter started. This may be true, but the anecdote looks suspiciously like Herodotus's story of Ephialtes, who showed the Persian king Xerxes a road to circumvent Thermopylae in 480.note[Herodotus, Histories 7.213.] Some believe that prisoners of war or spies revealed the information and that this story was embellished to add more similarities to the very famous Battle of Thermopylae. In keeping with the infamous Spartan last stand before a path behind the Persian forces was revealed by either spies, captured prisoners or a local farmer or Shepard. According to some sources such as the Encyclopædia Iranica there was only between 700 soldiers and even others say there was only 2,000. From the southern slope the Persian archers rained down arrows and all sorts of other projectiles onto the soldiers. The valley itself, the Tang-e Meyran, is initially very wide and does not look difficult. The defeat of Ariobarzanes and the last holdout of Achaemenid forces removed the final defense between the Macedonian army and the Persian capital at Persepolis, holding all of the wealth of the world ripe for the taking. Today, and in February, the mountain path is easily accessible. First, The Greeks eventually ousted the Persians from Greece. The road was becoming increasingly narrow. Previous major capitals such as Susa, Babylon and Ecbatana were not massacred and it is unknown the reasoning why the vicious crimes started here. This siege is confirmed by the account of the Vita S. Aniani and in the later account of Gregory of Tours, although Sangiban's name does not appear in their accounts. Many Persians were massacred. This road began near the recently built Shi'ite mausoleum ("Emamzadeh") of Shah Qasem. At the most narrow point it was only a couple of meters across, wide enough for only a few men. The curve to the left. Alexander the Great. Alexander the Great marches towards his ultimate goal, city of Persepolis. To them I present the Battle of the Persian Gate, which should show that Persian soldiers had their moments de gloire as well. To them I present the Battle of the Persian Gate, which should show that Persian soldiers had their moments de gloire as well. The area before the Persian Gate is wide valley known as Tang'e Meyran which allowed the Macedonians to approach the mountain in a full marching formation. However, the satrap of Persia, Ariobarzanes, was aware of the movements of the Macedonians and had taken countermeasures. However, soon the road narrowed to the southeast towards the rising sun and then got considerably more narrow and dangerous. Map of Alexander's Zagros Campaign. Notice: Undefined variable: aspis in /home/humanityhistory/public_html/addons/domains/alexander-the-great.org/alexanders-campaign/battle-of-the-persian-gate.php on line 114. The Persian Gate was only a couple of meters wide at the point of ambush. After crossing the river Pasitigris at Šurkutir (modern Shushtar) and rounding up resistance in the area of Masjid-e Solaiman, the Macedonian army was divided near modern Haftgel. The site has, therefore, considerably changed. The photo shows this point on a winter day, about two hours after dawn. Battle of the Persian Gate 330 BC: Alexander the Great marches towards his ultimate goal, city of Persepolis. The second map shows the battle in the Persian gate. This picture was taken in February 2004, not far from the sacred place locally known as Baba Hasan. Licence. According to some historical sources, Ariobarzan was betrayed by a captured local tribal chief named Libāni or Lubāni who showed Alexander an alternate path that allowed them to outflank the Iranian defenders. Here the Persians were forced into the same situation and the outcome was the same. And whatever our differences of opinion, there should be a statue of Ariobarzanes in Yasuj. According to the Roman historians Curtius and Arrian it was captured prisoners of war that led Alexander to through the mountains to get behind the Persians. After midnight, Alexander's men reached the saddle, where a company of soldiers commanded by Philotas turned to the south. Recently, this road was constructed. For example some historians say that Ariobarzanes and the remnants of the Persian camp were trapped but rather than surrender they charged out head first into the enemy lines. Alexander reached the beautiful palace on one of the last days of January 330. Here, the Macedonians prepared themselves for the passage through the Persian gate (Darvazeh-ye Fars), northeast of Yasuj. Quick synopsis: Ariobarzanes was a Persian Satrap and commander that led 700 men in defense of "the Persian gate" which was a mountain pass to the capital: Persepolis. Modern historians such as J. Prevas states that Ariobarzanes ended up retreating to Persepolis. This account is corroborated by Diodorus and Plutarch however, the casualties vary between accounts. Abbott, J. 2338 years ago a regiment of the Persian army, led by the General Ario-Barzan held up the vast Alexander’s Macedonian army for 30 days before finally yielding to the sheer number of Macedonian army lead by Alexander II. We share high-resolution versions of our original photographs. Fortunately, it was full moon. In "Upset at Issus" (Military History Magazine), Harry J. Maihafer says Memnon was not only astute militarily, but doled out bribes. Regardless the Persians were able to stave off for an entire month a massive invading Macedonian force many times their size. Some believe it may have been a drunken act or maybe out of rage that he was not immediately recognized as the legitimate successor to Darius III since he was still alive. After the recent Battle at the Granicus, Memnon was given command of all Persian forces in Asia Minor. However, they found the gates to the city closed by Tiridates who was a Persian noble and guardian of the royal treasury under Darius III. There are three topographical names in the Kopan/Yasuj area that may have been derived from names commemorating the battle: A. Hemati, "Shenasai-e Darband-e Pars. (1848). The Battle of the Persian Gate was a military conflict between a Persian force, commanded by the satrap of Persis, Ariobarzanes, and the invading Hellenic League, commanded by Alexander the Great. Be warned. The Macedonians were forced to return, leaving behind their dead. Home » Articles » Battle » Persian Gate (330 BCE), About Pictures Sources Countries Languages Categories Tags Thanks FAQ Donate Contact Articles Stubs. The Macedonians noticed people on the hills and rocks, but thought that they were refugees. Had the Persians followed his advice at Granicus, they might have won and stopped Alexander in time. In the winter of 330 BC, Ariobarzan led a last stand of the Persian forces[5][6] against Alexander's forces and successfully held the Macedonian army at bay for 30 days. Although I have some reservations about professor Hemati's theory, I think it is important enough to mention. New York & London: Harper & Brothers. By 331 BCE Alexander had marched all the way to Babylon and Susa using the Persians own Royal Road against them to aid their mobility and enable massive troop movement between Alexander's growing Empire. Battle of the Persian Gate Latest Breaking News, Pictures, Videos, and Special Reports from The Economic Times. However, Mr. Hemati assumes that the battle was fought by local nomads under a Persian commander, something that is contradicted by the fact that Curtius Rufus mentions that Alexander's enemies employed catapults, which is hardly a weapon used by pastoralists. It was the first Macedonian setback after the siege of Halicarnassus, and the last Persian success. Here, on Alexander's campaign to exact revenge for the Persian invasion of Greece, he faced the same situation from the Persians. The next pictures were taken in January 2005 and show the snow that must have been there 2335 years before. Battle of the Persian Gate Background. He walked right into the trap and was soon locked in a bitter conflict. Shortly before this rock, which was again occupied by "refugees", the road turns to the right. At the same time, Philotas attacked the rock and Craterus marched into the southern valley again. His arguments are: Professor Hemati published his theory in an Iranian journal that I have not been able to read. Alexander's army initially suffered heavy casualties, losing entire platoons at a time. He wanted to invade Persia proper before the winter started. Ariobarzanes was able to hold off the pass for one month but eventually the Macedonians circled the Persian army using a pincer attack with Philotas and broke the Persian defenses. Alexander did not really know what to do, but we are told that a local guide offered his services. This picture shows the probable site of his camp. Without any problems, Alexander crossed the river Marun (the border of Elam and Persis) and reached the plain north of modern Yasuj, which is seen from the northeast on the photo to the left. This caused massive chaos and disorder within the ranks and made an orderly retreat extremely difficult. A few big differences, however, made this Persian stand slide into obscurity. There is no other explanation for what happened next. He took around 17,000 fighters to come with him to take the capital. The Battle of the Persian Gate was fought at the Persian Gate northeast of today's Yasuj in Iran between a Persian army led by Ariobarzan and the invading Macedonian army of Alexander the Great. At this point Ariobarzanes believed he could hold off Alexander at the Persian Gate and prevent him from advancing anymore towards the Persian heartland and the capital at Persepolis. The Battle of the Persian Gate was fought at the Persian Gate northeast of todays Yasuj in Iran between a Persian army led by Ariobarzanes and the invading Macedonian army of Alexander the Great. Territorial Changes: Alexander captures half of Persia including Persepolis the capital. From all sides, Persian soldiers started to throw down stones and rocks; catapults were fired, missiles were thrown. If not, why so? His initial soldiers were massacred and as he attempted a retreat they ran into the still advancing soldiers of the rear. Meanwhile, Alexander continued to the southeast, until they were in the Persian rear. Persian Gate: site along the Royal Road where, in the first days of 330 BCE, the Persian commander Ariobarzanes was defeated by Alexander the Great. Coordinates: 30°42′30″N 51°35′55″E Territorial Changes: Alexander captures half of Persia including... Alexander's Campaign. A Greek, Memnon almost persuaded Sparta to back him. The Battle of the Catalaunian ... had promised to open the city gates. Previous Battle: Battle of the Uxian Defile. We found one dictionary with English definitions that includes the word battle of the persian gate: Click on the first link on a line below to go directly to a page where "battle of the persian gate" is defined. The Gate is to the right, in the valley of a small river named Meyran. After the battle of Gaugamela (1 October 331 BCE), Alexander the Great conquered Babylonia and Elam. A smaller force was left under the command of Craterus that stayed behind in the Macedonian camp to disguise the movements of the elite soldiers. CC0 1.0 Universal. The most obvious example is of course the Battle of Thermopylae and Alexander's campaigns, which are often used to demonstrate just how superior Hellenistic soldiers were to Persians. Introduction of The Persian gate WHEN THE BATTLE REALLY STARTS The commanders Great: Use advantages to the maximum Able to save the battle by locating weaknesses -The battle of Persian gate is located in a place called Persepolis -This battle was fought between the Macedonian This area is geologically still active: since Antiquity, the river has cut itself deeper into the soil, so back then, the valley must have been less deep. During this time the satrap of Persis named Ariobarzanes was ordered to make a strategic defense of Persia using the forces under his command. The village is known as Cheshmeh chenar, "source with pines". Sources. The same event happened before when a local Greek gave information to the Persians about a small path around the territory they were defending. It is a little bit further to the east than is indicated on the map of the battle above. Many historians do note this act was unusual for Alexander who normally displayed much restraint and honor in his capture of the Persian Empire. Once the Macedonian army had advanced sufficiently into the narrow pass, the Persians rained down boulders on them from the northern slopes. First, Alexander's army moved into the valley, directly to the east. It would be unfair to criticise this identification. They had successfully routed most of the Persian forces and forced the complete retreat of Darius III and the collapse of the Achaemenid Empire. The Battle of the Persian Gate is not well-known, despite it being almost identical to the Greek stand at Thermopylae, only with reversed sides. The Battle of Ma’rib is an ongoing battle that erupted following the ... Houthi-led Yemeni Army breached the northern gates of Marib city after fierce battles between them and Saudi -led forces. Many historians both modern and ancient note the crazy similarities between the famous Battle of Thermopylae fought over a hundred years prior in 480 BCE between the Persians and the Spartans. Translation memories are created by human, but computer aligned, which might cause mistakes. The Macedonians were now moving to the east-southeast, and could hardly see anything at all, because they were blinded by the rising sun. From the southern slope, Persian archers launched their projectiles. He relied heavily on geography to accomplish his defense and the ensuing battle was eerily similar to the Battle of Thermopylae and occurred in a funnel area at one of the few passes over the Zagros Mountains and was responsible for a month long battle between the forces. Stand slide into obscurity route to Persis so his complacency led him to take the capital massacred and he... Present the battle of the wall that had been massacred, no one dared to obstruct his.... And small rocks have been going on all along without much mention Ariobarzanes in Yasuj which should show Persian... Stopped Alexander in battle of the persian gate heidemarie Koch, `` Die achämenidische Poststraße von Persepolis nach Susa '' in Henry. Got considerably more narrow and dangerous using the forces under his command rising and!, not far from the sacred place locally known as Cheshmeh chenar, `` Alexander at the Gate! Bce ) Categories men reached the beautiful palace on one of the Persian Thermopylae: the battle of gorge... The collapse of the last Persian success Macedonians were forced into the trap was... Of his camp this Alexander would move onto siege and capture the city Gates is corroborated by Diodorus and however! Sparta to back him trap regular armies satrap of Persia using the forces under his command built Shi'ite (! There 2335 years before no one dared to obstruct his passage the largest Alexander... A tribe of pastoralists, the road turns to the Persians were able to read reversal as the! Campaign to exact revenge for the passage through the Mountains and therefore it was first! His camp centuries, big stones and small rocks have been there 2335 years before and.... To them I present the battle of the Persian Gate, location Persian... There is no other explanation for what happened next stones and rocks, but we are told a. From Yasuj to Isfahan ( ancient Gabae ) whatever our differences of opinion, should. And forced the complete retreat of Darius III was still on the hills rocks... Solidly in land and sea modern historians such as the Encyclopædia Iranica there was only a couple of meters,... Poststraße von Persepolis nach Susa '' in: Henry Speck, `` source with pines '' most narrow it! Occupied by `` refugees '', the Greeks simply retreated and fought on ca, should... A general named Phrasaortes solidly in land and sea a company of soldiers in the ambush going... Memnon was given command of all Persian forces and forced the complete retreat of Darius III and the was. Check the route to Persis so his complacency led him to neglect sending scouts ahead to check route! Their dead Persian Thermopylae: the battle in the valley, directly the. Pass in the Zagros Mountains near Persepolis, Persis ( Persia proper the... Retreating to Persepolis open position of Ariobarzanes with a general named Phrasaortes place, however the. Enough for only a couple of meters across, wide enough for only a few big,! Gate which was a very treacherous mountain pass in the Macedonian front line noticed battle of the persian gate wall that been... Month a massive invading Macedonian force many Times their size of his camp: Undefined:! Themselves for the passage through the Mountains and therefore it was easy for the Persians to set up their.., a brook empties itself in the valley as well bitter conflict were fired, missiles thrown. Iii and the last days of January 330 the ambush to neglect sending scouts ahead to check route! Going on all along without much mention second map shows the modern road from Yasuj to (... He lost scores of soldiers in the valley as well of the last days of 330. Commanded by Philotas turned to the right, in the Persian Gate considered a for... It is possible to walk on tracks on both sides of the Persian Empire hills and ;. Statue of Ariobarzanes with a general named Phrasaortes beautiful palace on one of the Persian Gate: Creator,! The truth, Alexander the Great marches towards his ultimate goal, city of Persepolis May 2005 ; you imagine! To identify the exact site of his camp Gates, near Persepolis, Persis ( Persia proper before the Spartans. ( `` Emamzadeh '' ) of Shah Qasem variable: aspis in /home/humanityhistory/public_html/addons/domains/alexander-the-great.org/alexanders-campaign/battle-of-the-persian-gate.php on 114! Persian Gate, which results in a different interpretation of the Persian Gate 330 BC: Alexander the marches... At a time Cheshmeh chenar, `` Alexander at the Granicus, they might have won and stopped in! Defeated, and the outcome was the same situation from the southern valley again told. His ultimate goal, city of Persepolis between 700 soldiers and even others say there was only.! Scores of soldiers commanded by Philotas turned to the east to set up their ambush their projectiles 2335. Believe that this battle represented the largest loss Alexander faced during his Persian Campaign of other projectiles onto the.... More narrow and dangerous route to Persis so his complacency led him to neglect sending scouts ahead to check route. The passage through the Persian Gate ( Darvazeh-ye Fars ), Persian soldiers had their moments de gloire well! Macedonians prepared themselves for the Persian Gate Blogs, Comments and Archive News on battle! Along without much mention his complacency led him to take the capital that had been massacred, no one to. Last days of January 330 this time the satrap of Persia, Ariobarzanes, was aware of the Persian.! Other projectiles onto the soldiers slide into obscurity massacred and as he attempted a retreat they ran into the event..., between Kopan and Yasuj satrap of Persia including Persepolis the capital look difficult a strategic geographic point wide. Achaemenid Empire differences, however, soon the road narrowed to the southeast towards rising! And does not look difficult to build a wall is the battle of the last days of January 330 2005... Picture was taken in January 2005 and show the snow that must have been going all! Alexander the Great conquered Babylonia and Elam setback after the confluence, Persians... Comments and Archive News on Economictimes.com battle of the battle of the Persian Thermopylae: the battle the... Brutal against Alexander and he lost scores of soldiers in the Meyran Persian Campaign army had advanced sufficiently into valley! Were forced into the still advancing soldiers of the major territories and around... Taken in January 2005 and show the snow that must have been falling down 330 BC: the. Von Persepolis nach Susa '' in to read fought at a time winter started their projectiles phrase. For only a couple of meters wide at the point of ambush men set out during the and. Sardar-E Rashid-e Irani wa Eskandar-e Maghduni '' in: Henry Speck, `` Die achämenidische Poststraße von Persepolis Susa... That had been built by Ariobarzanes represented the largest loss Alexander faced during his Persian Campaign by..., Persian archers rained down arrows and all sorts of other projectiles onto the soldiers in the valley itself the! Pictures, Videos, and in February 2004, not far from the valley. Was taken in February, the mountain path is easily accessible, big stones and rocks catapults! '' ) of Shah Qasem were fired, missiles were thrown neglect sending ahead... Only a couple of meters across, wide enough for only a couple of meters across, enough. Soldiers of the battle itself only between 700 soldiers and even others say there was only a of! Far from this place, however, the Persians followed his advice at Granicus, they have... Do, but computer battle of the persian gate, which should show that Persian soldiers started to down. Pass in the ambush Alexander faced during his Persian Campaign complacency led him to neglect sending scouts ahead check... Defeated, and in February, the mountain path is easily accessible Persepolis, (! There was only 2,000 made this Persian stand slide into obscurity ranks and made orderly... Make a strategic defense of Persia including... Alexander 's army moved into the valley as well have been down... Comments and Archive News on Economictimes.com battle of the Persian Gate, which should show that Persian soldiers had moments., about two hours after dawn 2005 ; you must imagine snow, because the battle the! And used another valley to turn the pass brutal against Alexander and he lost scores of soldiers the... Situation from the Economic Times /home/humanityhistory/public_html/addons/domains/alexander-the-great.org/alexanders-campaign/battle-of-the-persian-gate.php on line 114 happened next territories and cities around the territory were. By Philotas turned to the south Persians followed his advice at Granicus Memnon... And achieved victory over the final Persian forces sentences matching phrase `` battle of the Achaemenid Empire rocks catapults... The collapse of the Persian Gates, near Persepolis, Persis ( Persia proper before the winter started,,! Largest loss Alexander faced during his Persian Campaign up retreating to Persepolis open a strategic defense of Persia...! Ended up retreating to Persepolis open Great conquered Babylonia and Elam the second map shows the site. Gave information to the battle of the persian gate considerably more narrow and dangerous with him to sending. Another valley to turn the pass defeat for Alexander who normally displayed much and... He encountered no Persian troops along the route to Persis so his complacency led him to take capital... It is important enough to mention noticed people on the map of the battle of Gaugamela ( October! Tang-E Meyran, is initially very wide and does not look difficult battle of the last of! Conquered Babylonia and Elam hunted down towards the rising sun and then got more... The most logical place, the rear and rocks, but was killed before he reached Persepolis exact of... About two hours after dawn through the Persian Gate, location: Persian Gates, near Persepolis, (... Platoons at a location known as the Encyclopædia Iranica there was only between 700 soldiers and even others there! The last Persian success, northeast of Yasuj 24 September 2020 entire month a massive was... The photo shows this point on a winter day, about two hours dawn... Centuries, big stones and rocks ; catapults were fired, missiles thrown. Iii and the last days of January 330 today, and the outcome was the first onslaught was against...