The Battle of the Granicus in May 334 BC was the first of three major battles fought between Alexander the Great of Macedon and the Persian Achaemenid Empire. The battle took place on the road from Abydus to Dascylium, at the crossing of the Granicus in the Troad region, which is now called the Biga River in Turkey. In the battle Alexander defeated the field army of the Persian satraps of Asia Minor, which defended the river crossing. After this battle, the Persians were forced onto the defensive in the cities that remained under their control in the region.
BC Macedonian army of Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of the Granicus
The Battle of the Granicus in May 334 BC was the first of three major battles fought between Alexander the Great of Macedon and the Persian Achaemenid Empire.
Historical Significance
The Battle of the Granicus in May 334 BC was the first of three major battles fought between Alexander the Great of Macedon and the Persian Achaemenid Empire.
Key People
Alexander the Great
Military commander, King of Macedon from 336 to 323 BC
Military commander, King of Macedon from 336 to 323 BC
Events Before
Battle of Adrianople: Roman Emperor Constantine I defeats his co-emperor Licinius, who flees to Byzantium
Valerius Licinianus Licinius was Roman emperor from 308 to 324. For most of his reign, he was the colleague and rival of Constantine I, with whom he co-authored the Edict of Milan that granted...
Old St. Peter's Basilica consecrated in Rome (stood 4th - 16th century), later replaced by current Basilica
Old St. Peter's Basilica consecrated in Rome (stood 4th - 16th century), later replaced by current Basilica
Athanasius is elected Patriarch bishop of Alexandria
Athanasius I of Alexandria (296–298 – 2 May 373), also called Athanasius the Great, Athanasius the Confessor, or, among Coptic Christians, Athanasius the Apostolic, was a Christian theologian and the...
Newly built city of Constantinople (Byzantium) dedicated to Emperor Constantine the Great, becomes the capital of the Ea
Newly built city of Constantinople (Byzantium) dedicated to Emperor Constantine the Great, becomes the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire
BC Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela
BC Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela
Events After
Church of the Holy Sepulchre is consecrated in Jerusalem
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, also known as the Church of the Resurrection, is a fourth-century church in the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.
St Mark is elected Pope
Pope Mark (Latin: Marcus) was the bishop of Rome from 18 January to his death on 7 October 336. Little is known of Mark's early life.
Pope Saint Mark's death ends his reign as Catholic Pope, leaving the papacy vacant
Pope Saint Mark's death ends his reign as Catholic Pope, leaving the papacy vacant
Earliest theorized date that Christmas is celebrated on December 25th by the Catholic Church in Rome to replace pagan ce
Earliest theorized date that Christmas is celebrated on December 25th by the Catholic Church in Rome to replace pagan celebrations
St Julius I begins his reign as Catholic Pope
St Julius I begins his reign as Catholic Pope
More from the 330s
Newly built city of Constantinople (Byzantium) dedicated to Emperor Constantine the Great, becomes the capital of the Ea
Newly built city of Constantinople (Byzantium) dedicated to Emperor Constantine the Great, becomes the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire
BC Macedonian army led by Philip II defeats the combined forces of Athens and Thebes in the Battle of Chaeronea, securin
BC Macedonian army led by Philip II defeats the combined forces of Athens and Thebes in the Battle of Chaeronea, securing Macedonian hegemony over Greece and the Aegean Sea
Church of the Holy Sepulchre is consecrated in Jerusalem
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, also known as the Church of the Resurrection, is a fourth-century church in the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.
BC Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela
BC Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on May 22, 334?
- The Battle of the Granicus in May 334 BC was the first of three major battles fought between Alexander the Great of Macedon and the Persian Achaemenid Empire. The battle took place on the road from Abydus to Dascylium, at the crossing of the Granicus in the Troad region, which is now called the Biga River in Turkey. In the battle Alexander defeated the field army of the Persian satraps of Asia Minor, which defended the river crossing.
- Why is BC Macedonian army of Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the... significant?
- The Battle of the Granicus in May 334 BC was the first of three major battles fought between Alexander the Great of Macedon and the Persian Achaemenid Empire.
- Who was involved in BC Macedonian army of Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the...?
- Key figures include Alexander the Great (Military commander, King of Macedon from 336 to 323 BC).