a small river near the Hellespont in Lesser Asia, remarkable for the first victory gained by Alexander the Great over the armies of Darius.—Authors disagree very much about the number of the Persians, though all agree that they were vastly more numerous than the Greeks. Justin and Orosius tell us, that the Persian army consisted of 600,000 foot and 20,000 horse; Arrian makes the foot amount to 200,000; but Diodorus tells us, that they were not more than 100,000 foot and 10,000 horse. The Macedonian army did not exceed 30,000 foot and 5000 horse. The Persian cavalry lined the banks of the Granicus, in order to oppose Alexander wherever he should attempt a passage; and the foot were posted behind the cavalry on an easy ascent. Parmenio would have had Alexander to allow his troops some time to refresh themselves; but he replied, that, after having crossed the Hellespont, it would be a disgrace to him and his troops to be stopped by a rivulet. Accordingly a proper place for crossing the river was sooner found, than he commanded a strong detachment of horse to enter; he himself followed with the right wing, which he commanded in person; the trumpets in the mean time sounding, and loud shouts of joy being heard through the whole army. The Persians let fly such showers of arrows against the detachment of Macedonian horse, as caused some confusion; several of their horses being killed or wounded. As they drew near the bank a most bloody engagement ensued; the Macedonians attempting to land, and the Persians pushing them back into the river. Alexander, who observed the confusion they were in, took the command of them himself; and landing in spite of all opposition, obliged the Persian cavalry, after an obstinate resistance, to give ground. However, Spithrobates, governor of Ionia, and son-in-law to Darius, still maintained his ground, and did all that lay in his power to bring them back to the charge. Alexander advanced full gallop to engage him; neither did he decline the combat, and both were slightly wounded at the first encounter. Spithrobates having thrown his javelin without effect, advanced sword in hand to meet his antagonist, who ran him through with his pike as he raised his arm to discharge a blow with his scymitar. But Rofaces, brother to Spithrobates, at the same time gave Alexander such a furious blow on the head with his battle-ax, that he beat off his plume, and slightly wounded him through the helmet. As he was ready to repeat the blow, Clitus with one stroke of his scymitar cut off Rofaces's head, and thus in all probability saved the life of his sovereign. The Macedonians then, animated by the example of their king, attacked the Persians with new vigour, who soon after betook themselves to flight. Alexander did not pursue them; but immediately charged the enemy's foot with all his forces, who had now passed the river. The Persians, disheartened at the defeat of their cavalry, made no great resistance. The Greek mercenaries retired in good order to a neighbouring hill, whence they sent deputies to Alexander desiring leave to march off unmolested. But he, instead of coming to a parley with them, rushed furiously into the middle of this small body; where his horse was killed under him, and he himself in great danger of being cut in pieces. The Greeks defended themselves with incredible valour for a long time, but were at last almost entirely cut off. In this battle the Persians are said to have lost 20,000 foot and 2500 horse, and the Macedonians only 55 foot and 60 horse.