GRANICUS, BATTLE OF THE

(early summer of 334 BC), first victory won by Alexander the Great of Macedon in his invasion of the Persian Empire. The Persians, numbering perhaps 40,000, occupied the far bank of the Granicus River (modern Kocabas, flowing into the Sea of Marmara). Alexander's shock troops forded the stream and clambered up the bank under a shower of javelins. Alexander followed and charged the generals, who were concentrated in the left centre of the Persian line. He killed two relatives of the Persian king, Darius, and was himself saved from death by his cavalry commander, Cleitus (the Black). The Persian effort collapsed. According to Alexander's biographer, Arrian (2nd century AD), the struggle cost the Macedonians only 115 men.