Battle of Issus

Battle of Issus, engagement fought in 333 bc between Macedonian king Alexander the Great and Persian king Darius III during Alexander’s conquest of the Persian Empire. After invading northern Syria, Alexander left his wounded soldiers in a camp in the city of Issus, directing the remainder of his army southward in search of Darius’s armies. Meanwhile, Darius moved his army up from the south. In a maze of Syrian mountains, the two armies passed each other. Darius discovered Alexander's camp at Issus and massacred the wounded Macedonian soldiers. After Alexander found himself cut off from communication with the north, he returned to Issus and defeated Darius’s army. Darius fled to Babylonia, leaving Syria, Palestine, and Egypt open for conquest by Alexander.