The areas populated with the Kurds, like the Middle East, are enriched with archeological data from the past. Ancient history, as we know it, primarily was situated around the area of the Middle east and the Mediterranean sea. So it comes with no shock - but excitement - that so often we come across events of archaeological survey around the areas of Duhok, Hewler, and Slemani which uncover many hidden and dazzling historical sites.

One of which has been rather popular is the sight of the Battle of Guagamela which, according to data obtained from the research of Hungarian-born British archeologist Aurel Stein, took place near a hill known as Tel Gomel, around modern-day Hewler, the capital of the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

Situated in the flat land between the cities of Hewler and Mosul, this particular battle took place in 331 BC when the armies of Darius III of the once-Persian Achaemenid Empire stood against the rapid invasion of the Macedonian armies of Alexander the Great. 

Alexander the Great became King of Macedonia after the death of his father, Philip II. Alexander sought to continue his father’s legacy of rapidly expanding his kingdom from a regional power in Greece into a formidable empire. This attracted the attention of the Achaemenids who were attempting to annex the region of Greece.

Alexander the Great personally led a campaign to capitulate most Achaemind cities. Swiftly advancing through Anatolia, the Levant, and Egypt, declaring himself Pharoah.

At the height of its power, the Achaemenid stronghold around the areas of Mesopotamia also came under attack by Alexander. Despite overwhelming odds and a manpower advantage by the Persians, Alexander the Great managed to secure a deceive victory over the Persian empire that left Darius III unable to form a stronger army again.

It all happened around 1600 years ago between a Hellenic army popular for its tactics of deploying Phalanx formation, against a mighty and rich empire that stood the test of time, in Gaugamela.