The Ancients · History Hit
The Invasion of Persia | Alexander the Great
February 12, 2026·1 hr 5 min·5 clips
A young king launches a spear into Asian soil, claiming the Persian Empire as his territory.
As heard by us
Alexander's crossing and first battle feel immediate, tactical, and one blow away from disaster.
The episode tracks Alexander across the Hellespont into Asia and treats the crossing as a live problem, not a grand flourish. Calm water, a favorable breeze, and ships packed with soldiers, horses, and supplies all give the scene its weight, especially since many aboard are at…
Why you'd press play
You want Alexander's invasion framed through the Hellespont crossing, a riverbank clash, and a near-fatal first battle.
Listen to the show on