PERSIA CONTINUED: DARIUS’ FIRST LETTER TO ALEXANDER AND THE SIEGE OF TYRE Alexander The Great

Darius’ First Letter to Alexander Sometime after Issus, Darius sent a letter to Alexander, requesting the release of his wife, mother and children. He also stated that Persia and Macedonia had been on good terms until Philip, “was guilty of unprovoked aggression” against King Arses, the previous king of Persia. Darius said that he only took the field against Alexander to protect his throne and country.

Darius’ First Letter to Alexander He said that Alexander had sent no delegation to form alliances between Persia and Macedonia. Instead, Alexander had invaded the empire and carried out much damage as a result of this. Darius asked for the release of his family and a restoration of friendship between the two nations.

Alexander’s Reply Alexander informed the King that his Persian ancestors had wreaked havoc in Greece and Macedonia before and did so unprovoked. Alexander invaded Persia to punish them for these previous acts of aggression. He reminded Darius that he had sent aid to Perinthus who had rebelled against Philip and that he had sent an army into Thrace which was part of Macedonian territory. Alexander said Darius had also dispatched assassins to kill Philip and boasted in his letters about having done so.

Alexander’s Reply Alexander said that Darius had illegally assumed the throne, having killed the previous king of Persia and that Asian agents had also worked to destroy the peace Alexander had build up among the Greek states. Alexander boasted that had defeated Darius in battle and if he wanted his family returned he could come to the new lord of Asia in person. Furthermore, if he wished to write to Alexander again he should address Alexander as Lord of Asia and not write to him as an equal.

Tyre Alexander sent word to officials in Tyre, informing them, he wished to offer sacrifice to Heracles in their town. Envoys returned replying that the people of Tyre refused to admit any Persian or Macedonian within the walls of the Tyre. They thought this would be the safest thing to do because the outcome of the war had not been decided yet. Alexander was furious. He called a meeting with his leading generals and commanders.

Why Was Tyre So Important? At this point Persia still controlled the sea. Alexander’s planned conquest of Egypt could not take place with Tyre still in neutral hands. The Persian navy might anchor there and use it to attack Alexander’s rear With Alexander’s army so far in land this Persian navy might attack Greece, where they would find allies in the Athenians and Spartans. If Tyre were captured then the navy of Cyprus and Phoenicia would be in Alexander’s control. If these navies were under Alexander’s control the Persian navy would have lost the best part of its fleet.

Reading Arrian outlines why Alexander wanted to take Tyre and attack it. Read P. 131 – 132 as it represents Alexander’s justification for attacking the city.

Siege of Tyre Alexander constructed a causeway, (road) out to the new city of Tyre. The work got more hazardous as they got further out because the water was deeper and they came within range if enemy missiles form the lofty walls of the city. The Tyrians also made raids from the sea on the men who were working on the road or mole. Alexander built towers to counter act these raids, he had the towers covered with hides to give his men shelter from the missiles. He also placed troops on these towers.

Siege of Tyre The Tyrians filled a boat with flammable material, wood, sulphur etc, and towed it towards the towers. When it was within reach the sailors on board leapt to safety. The boat was also filled with cauldrons, (pots) of highly flammable liquids to intensify the fire. The towers were set on fire, afterwards the Tyrians came out and also destroyed a fence that had been protecting the workers, along with some siege weapons. Alexander gave orders for the work to start again. This was broader so it could hold more towers.

Siege of Tyre Alexander went to Sidon to assemble warships, he had to counter act the Tyrian navy and to his great fortune he also got ships from Cyprus, (120 vessels) and Phoenicia (80 vessels), who now joined him. Alexander sailed to Tyre. The Tyrians intended to have a naval battle with Alexander but when they saw his new fleet they decided to remain, protecting the two harbours with as many of their ships as they could. They wanted to prevent the enemy from anchoring in them.

Siege of Tyre Alexander ordered both the southern and northern harbour of Tyre to be blockaded by the Cyprians and Phoenicians fleet. He placed siege engines on the roadway he was completing and on the ships that he had now acquired in numbers. The Tyrians were launching fire-arrows from the battlements, so his ships were reluctant to come within range, also the Tyrians had placed stone boulders in the water near their walls preventing his ships from getting too close to the city. When Alexander's crew tried to remove them the Tyrians cut the anchoring ropes and cables. So it was impossible for the ships to remain steady as the job was been done. Alexander substituted this anchoring ropes with chain cables.

Siege of Tyre

The Tyrians decided to sneak out (with their best sailors) from the northern harbour and attack the Cyprian fleet anchored off it, hoping to catch them off guard. As a result of this, a great deal of damage was done to the Cyprian fleet. Two ships were rammed and the remaining vessels, were “driven ashore and broken up”. When Alexander discovered this activity at the northern harbour, he ordered his fleet on the southern harbour to be ready for an attack. He selected a number of ships to confront the returning Tyrian fleet, who had just engaged the Cyprian fleet at the northern harbour. The men on the battlements saw Alexander approaching, they shouted at their comrades to get back to the safety of the harbour. However they were too slow, some of the Tyrian ships were rammed and others were captured while those who could swam to safety.

Siege of Tyre Alexander began to attack the walls of the southern end of Tyre with his siege weapons. A small breach, (gap) was made along the wall. He threw a bridge across this but he was easily, “repulsed”. Three days later another attack was made with siege artillery, gangways were placed form his ships to the gaps in the wall. Other vessels were ordered to attack all along the walls, including at the northern ends. There was a full scale attack along the entire fortifications. Alexander eventually got his men through one of these breaches. Once his men had “firm ground” under their feet, they were able to push the defenders back. Soon Alexander had control of many of the defensive towers and battlements.

Siege of Tyre His fleet gained access to both harbours and captured them, also controlling these sections of the town. Inside the defenders tried to withdraw but the slaughter was merciless. The Tyrians had previously killed some prisoners, in full view of the Macedonians slitting their throats and flinging their bodies from the walls. This enraged the attacking soldiers who were hell bent on revenge. 8,000 Tyrians were killed, every one else was sold into slavery (30,000). After the victory, Alexander offered sacrifices to Heracles. He also held games within the grounds of the temple. A piece of siege weapons and a Tyrian ship were dedicated to the God Heracles.

Reading Read Arrian’s account of the Siege of Tyre p

Questions 1. Why was the capture of Tyre so important? 2. In your own words summarise the Siege of Tyre.