ISSUS, BATTLE OF

(333 BC), conflict early in Alexander the Great's invasion of Asia in which he defeated a Persian army under King Darius III. This was one of the decisive victories by which Alexander conquered the Achaemenian Empire. Issus is a plain on the coast of the Gulf of Iskenderun, in present-day southern Turkey. The Macedonian forces, with an infantry phalanx in the centre and cavalry on the sides, approached the army of Darius, which was drawn up on the opposite bank of the Pinarus (either modern Payaz or Deli) River. Alexander led the charge across the river, shattering the Persian left wing before turning against the Greek mercenaries who formed the Persian centre. His army in confusion, Darius escaped, but his family was captured. Arrian, Alexander's biographer (2nd century AD), claimed the Macedonians lost only 450 men, with Alexander himself being wounded.