In 333 BC Alexander's army confronted the Persians in a narrow coastal plain, some distance from the town of Issus. The Persian forces made camp on the river Payas behind the southward moving Macedonians. The Macedonians turned back to attack the Persians. Darius placed his cavalry by the sea, his infantry at the centre and along the foothills.
The Macedonians took up position with their phalanx at the centre, flanked by cavalry, and advanced, adopting a wide formation. Alexander led an infantry assault on the Persian centre, a decisive move, which displaced the Persian Royal Guard and directly threatened Darius himself. Meanwhile the Persian right attacked the Macedonian left.
The Macedonian right charged and broke the Persian left, then joined the Macedonian centre to move through and behind the Persian forces, chasing Darius. The Persians then began to scatter northwards. The Macedonians encircled the remaining Persians who broke out and fled north, pursued by the Macedonians.
