French 17th century Tapestry - Alexander the Great, The Crossing of the Granicus

Tapestry – Atelier de la Marche, 17th Century

The Crossing of the Granicus: This expression emphasizes the act of Alexander’s army crossing the Granicus River. This passage was a crucial moment in the battle, allowing the Macedonians to engage the Persians positioned on the opposite bank.

The sun, a bronze eye, watched over the Granicus as it wound through the plains of Asia Minor. Its steel-blue waters reflected the turmoil along the banks. Alexander’s army, a sea of helmets and spears, stretched as far as the eye could see. The young king, his spirit alive with ambition, scanned the far shore where the Persians stood—a wall of swords and shields.

On that day, the Granicus was more than a river. It was a boundary, a challenge, a baptism of fire for the conqueror. The wind, messenger of the gods, carried the soldiers’ murmurs, the echo of commands, and the clatter of arms. Alexander, like an eagle ready to strike its prey, felt adrenaline surge through his veins. He knew this crossing was decisive; glory or defeat would be determined in the river’s turbulent waters.

The first cavalry charged, their horses whipping through the water, hooves pounding the riverbed. Persian arrows hissed, sowing death and confusion. The Granicus suddenly turned red—a bloody mirror of the battle. Alexander, at the head of his troops, plunged into the fray, his war cry echoing like thunder. He was a god among men, a whirlwind of fury and courage.

The waters of the Granicus became a theater of carnage. Macedonian and Persian bodies piled up, swept along by the current. The river, silent witness to human madness, raged in fury. Alexander, like a legendary hero, cut through enemy ranks, his spear leaving death in its wake. The Persians, shaken by his bravery, faltered, then yielded.

The sun, weary from so much violence, set, leaving behind a fiery sky. The Granicus, now calm, reflected the stars, like tears shed over the battlefield. Alexander, victorious, gazed upon the scene, his soul filled with a mix of pride and sorrow. The crossing of the Granicus had been achieved—but at what cost?

In keeping with tradition, this magnificent tapestry has undergone a thorough cleaning, the addition of a hand-sewn linen lining, and a meticulous inspection by the experts of the workshop. It is now ready to grace your interior with its historic grandeur.