Archaeologists say they have identified the site of one of Alexander the Great’s most significant battles more than 2,300 years ago.

A research team has revealed the exact location of an ancient battlefield near the Biga River in northwestern Turkey’s Çanakkale province, local media Türkiye Today reported on Wednesday. In ancient times the river was known as the Granicus.

The Battle of Granicus, fought in 334 BC AD, was Alexander’s first major 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 area that corresponds to most of present-day Turkey.

His success in battle paved the way for subsequent victories that would eventually lead to the fall of the Persian Achaemenid Empire. Ultimately, he laid the groundwork for the Hellenization of large areas of Asia that would have a lasting impact on the areas Alexander conquered.

Alexander the Great ruled the ancient kingdom of Macedonia, which was centered on the northeastern part of the Greek peninsula, from 336 BC. AD until his death in 323 BC. AD at the age of 32.

During his reign, he led extensive military campaigns, creating one of the largest empires ever to exist – from Greece to northwestern India. Undefeated in battle, he is widely regarded as one of the most successful military commanders in history.

“[The Battle of the Granicus] is considered one of the most important moments in world history,” Reyhan Korpe, an archaeologist at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (ÇOMU) in Turkey, told Türkiye Today. “After his victory here, Alexander conquered western Anatolia and much of Asia. , to extend his empire into India.”

Twenty years ago, Korpe initiated a project to locate the exact location of the battlefield, which has now come true.

“Our research, combined with careful reading of ancient sources, led us to pinpoint the location of the battle, the villages involved and its position on the plains,” Korpe said.

Research also determined the route Alexander and his forces took to the site of the battle.

“We have mapped the exact route that Alexander traveled, starting from the village of Ozbek, through Umurbey, Lapseki and finally descending to 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.