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The Persian Empire did not swell in geography alone, it swelled in numbers: at one point in 331 BC, Darius’ army consisted of one million men, many of which were Greek mercenaries. In specific battles, his forces were anywhere from three to ten times larger than mine. Of the Greek mercenaries who were not killed (all but a few thousand survived), all were sent off as slaves to work in mines in Macedonia. I could have hired them to serve me, but that would have been offensive to my troops.

If Darius felt the need to amass such a large army it was because I had given him cause for concern. Three years before, in 334 BC, I clashed against his men for the first time at the Battle of the Granicus, near modern day Turkey. I crossed the Hellespont into Asia Minor in sixty boats, clashing against his men over Granicus River. Granicus proved to be a critical point in the ongoing conflict for it was my first battle on Asia Minor. Upon crossing the River, I hurled my spear to claim what would be mine in a sign of things to come.

Aristotle’s nephew Callisthenes served as historian and accompanied my forces. He credited that victory to the Goddess of Revenge. I like to think that I got the credit for the ensuing victories.

It was during this battle that I experienced my first brush with mortality when I was attacked from the rear. My good friend Cleitus saved my life. Cleitus was one of the oldest men in my army, but he was stubborn. Had he been less stubborn he would have lived longer.

After Granicus the next major battle was near Issus, in modern day Southern Turkey. That took place the next year, in 333 BC. Darius was once again defeated. He fled, leaving his family behind. He also left behind his royal mantle, which I kept as a trophy. His mother, wife and children were now under my rule. I could have inflicted a painful death to the royal family, but this would not have been virtuous. I treated them with respect, allowing them to retain all titles, insignia and allowances granted to them by Darius. The royal family remained royalty, though they would now revere me. I even took to calling Darius’ mother Sisygambis, “mother.”

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