Tyre

We have just defeated Darius III at the battle of Issus a few months ago and now have arrived in Tyre. I have made a new friend named Arrian who is an historian who has been accompanying Alexander on his conquest to help document the events. He tells me that Alexander wants to conquer Tyre because it’s a strategic coastal base for the Persians on the Mediterranean Sea. It is the largest and most important city-state of Phoenicia and includes parts of the mainland along with an island that has two natural harbors. The island also is well fortified with walls surrounding it that reach as high has 150 ft.

I had been helping to build a land bridge from the mainland to the island by carrying rocks and lumber across the water way. I think Alexander was hoping to get close enough for our military to inflict some damage on the defenses of the enemy. However, every time we come close the Tyrians have been hurling boulders at us. I almost died today after almost getting hit by one! After a couple of these setbacks, our leader regrouped and summoned his navy along with the navies of territories he had conquered. Now with a navy of over 200 ships Alexander laid siege to Tyre. He was smart to block both of the island’s ports and used some of the ships as battering rams and we were able to breach the enemy’s defenses.

It’s been a brutal battle though and I have witnessed a lot of sadness. Over 6000 men were killed in the city and about 2000 were killed on the beach. Arrian tells me the death rate was related to Alexander’s anger over how long the siege took and the resistance he met. The

good news is most of the women and children had been moved to Carthage prior to the attack on Tyre. I think we are all very happy to notch another victory on our belts despite the challenges we faced here. Onwards to our next destination.