Conquest Of The Achaemenid Empire – Iv. Battle Of The Persian Gate (330 BC)

The Persian ruler would fight Alexander twice after the Battle of the Granicus River, once at the Battle of Issus and again at the Battle of Gaugamela, and the engagements would help determine the fate of his empire and the fate of the Western world. Many historians believe that Alexander had already nominally conquered Persia following the Battle of Gaugamela. Alexander must have realized he had overcome his conquest's most formidable foes, but the war would not be won for him until Darius was arrested or slain. Alexander would be crowned King of Greece and Persia only then. The rumors were that Darius, who was currently based at Ecbatana, deep in Persia's heartland, had already collected his senior officials and was about to raise yet another enormous army. Alexander could not afford to make the same error he had made at Issus, and he set his sights on the ancient capitals of Persia, where he would face his hardest battle yet when Persian Commander Ariobarzanes barred the pass of the Persian Gates.

In the Battle of Persian Gate in present-day Iran in 330 BC, Persian satrap Ariobarzanes led a last stand of Persian forces. While traveling to Persepolis, the Persian Empire's ceremonial capital, Alexander was ambushed in a narrow mountain pass known as the Persian Gate. The Greek force suffered heavy losses, but the Persians were eventually besieged and beaten after holding the gate for a month. Alexander had finally vanquished the strong Achaemenid Empire, and this fight was the final nail in the coffin.