Archaeologists say they have identified the site where one of Alexander the Great's most significant battles occurred more than 2,300 years ago.
The research team uncovered the exact location of the ancient battlefield by the Biga River in Çanakkale Province, northwestern Turkey, local media outlet Türkiye Today reported on Wednesday. In ancient times, the river was known as the Granicus.
The Battle of the Granicus, fought in 334 B.C., was Alexander's first significant victory during his campaign against the Persian Achaemenid Empire. This battle was historically important as it marked the beginning of the legendary commander's conquest of Asia Minor—a historical region that corresponds to most of modern-day Turkey.
His success at the battle paved the way for subsequent victories that would eventually lead to the downfall of the Persian Achaemenid Empire. Ultimately, it laid the foundation for the Hellenization of large swaths of Asia, which would have a lasting impact on the regions Alexander conquered.
Alexander the Great ruled the ancient kingdom of Macedon—centered on the northeastern part of the Greek peninsula—between 336 B.C. until his death in 323 B.C. at the age of 32.
During his reign, he waged extensive military campaigns, creating one of the largest empires ever seen—spanning from Greece to northwestern India. Undefeated in battle, he is widely considered to be among the most successful military commanders in history.
"[The Battle of the Granicus] is considered one of the most pivotal moments in world history," Reyhan Korpe, an archaeologist with Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (ÇOMU) in Turkey, told Türkiye Today. "Following his victory here, Alexander went on to conquer Western Anatolia and much of Asia, extending his empire into India."
Twenty years ago, Korpe initiated a project with the aim of locating the exact site of the battlefield, which has now come to fruition.
"Our research, combined with a careful reading of ancient sources, has led us to pinpoint the exact location of the battle, the villages involved, and its position within the plains," Korpe said.
The researches have also determined the route that Alexander and his forces took to arrive at the site of the battle.
"We mapped out the exact route Alexander traveled, beginning in Ozbek village, crossing through Umurbey, Lapseki, and ultimately descending into the Biga Plain," Korpe said.
Following the discovery, there are now plans to develop the battlefield site into a tourist attraction as part of the "Alexander the Great Cultural Route" project.
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