This map of the battle of Granicus‘ last phase captures the decisive rout of the Persian army. Alexander’s army has crossed the river, re-formed, and now executes a textbook pincer that dooms the mercenary core of the Persian army while the Persian cavalry melts away. The battle is effectively won and pursuit will follow.
Colour code:
- Blue blocks = Alexander the Great’s Macedonian army.
- Red blocks = Persian satrapal army under Arsites, with allied Greek mercenaries.
Tactical picture conveyed by the map
- Encirclement complete: The Greek mercenary hoplites—Persia’s most reliable infantry—are boxed in by Companion cavalry to the south, Hipaspists to the west, and the phalanx pressing from the north.
- Persian cavalry shattered: Red squadrons on the right are drawn in ragged formation with retreat arrows; cohesion is lost, and no counter-attack is forming.
- Macedonian cohesion solid: Blue formations keep their rectangular shape, showing discipline as they pivot inward; arrows illustrate coordinated inward pressure from three sides.
- Field dominance: Except for the shrinking pocket of mercenaries, every red block is either fleeing or too dispersed to hold. The river is now firmly in the Macedonian rear and not a hazard.
