The siege ended Persian control of Halicarnassus and demonstrated Alexander's early strategy of denying the Persian fleet its coastal bases.
Key Facts
- Year of siege
- 334 BC
- Persian commanders
- Orontobates and Memnon of Rhodes
- Fortress surrendered to Alexander
- Alinda, by Ada of Caria
- Outcome for city
- Memnon set fire to Halicarnassus before withdrawing
- Alexander's decree
- Citizens were not to be harmed
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Persian fleet sought to establish a new defensive base at Halicarnassus after failing to provoke a naval engagement with Alexander. Orontobates, the Persian-appointed satrap of Caria, and the mercenary commander Memnon of Rhodes fortified the city. Ada of Caria, the deposed queen, surrendered the nearby fortress of Alinda to Alexander, giving him a foothold in the region.
Alexander's forces attempted to infiltrate Halicarnassus through dissident contacts who failed to appear, leading to open assault. After breaching the city walls and facing counterattacks including catapult fire and infantry sorties, Alexander's troops finally forced their way through. Memnon, recognizing the city was lost, ordered it set ablaze and retreated with his forces, while strong winds spread the fire through much of the city.
Alexander entered Halicarnassus through its gates and ordered crews to extinguish the fires, while issuing a decree protecting the civilian population. The fall of the city removed a key Persian naval stronghold along the Aegean coast, undermining Persia's strategy of using its fleet to threaten Alexander's rear and supply lines during his campaign into Asia.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Alexander the Great.
Side B
1 belligerent
Orontobates, Memnon of Rhodes.