After 20 years of research, historians in Turkey claim to have discovered the location of the Battle of the Granicus, one of Alexander the Great’s most significant victories. This triumph secured a strategic advantage for the Greek army in its advance into Asia Minor.

Professor Reyhan Köprü, a scientific advisor for the research project at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (ÇOMÜ), told Daily Sabah:
“We have identified the ancient site that researchers have sought for nearly 150 years. We also mapped the route Alexander the Great took to reach the battlefield.”

Professor Köprü, who teaches in the Department of History at ÇOMÜ’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, began efforts to locate the site two decades ago. His research focused mainly on the Biga region of Çanakkale Province (Dardanelles). This year, the team managed to pinpoint the exact battlefield where the clash occurred 2,400 years ago. Efforts are now underway to promote the site as a tourist destination and integrate it into a cultural heritage trail.

At a meeting organized by the Çanakkale Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, Professor Köprü presented findings to local mayors and officials, emphasizing the immense historical importance of the battle. “After this victory, Alexander conquered western Anatolia and later the entire region of Asia Minor, eventually reaching India. His success at the Granicus was not only crucial for him but a milestone in world history,” he stated.

“We started studying the Battle of the Granicus around 20 years ago. Over the last three years, we focused on identifying the exact battlefield, and this year we made significant discoveries. The most important finding was mapping the routes Alexander followed to reach the battlefield and identifying his campsites along the way,” added Professor Köprü.

To determine Alexander’s route to the battlefield, the team studied ancient texts in detail. “We approximated the battlefield’s location, identified nearby villages, and pinpointed the exact site in the plain. In our presentation, we noted that Alexander’s path from the Dardanelles to Biga represents a cultural trail,” he explained.

According to the researchers, Alexander launched his campaign from the plain near the village of Özbek, moved eastward to ancient Lampsacus, crossed the mountains, and descended into the Biga plain to reach the Granicus River.

The Battle of the Granicus was Alexander’s first major engagement during his campaign, taking place near the Granicus River in 334 BCE. The Persian forces, commanded by Arsames, the satrap of Phrygia, gathered near Zeleia in the Hellespont region.

Alexander’s victory led to a series of cities opening their gates to him as he sought recognition as a liberator rather than a conqueror.

The Greeks’ morale soared following the battle, and the loss of prominent Persian leaders was one of the key events that opened western Asia Minor to Alexander’s subsequent advance.