Tristan Hughes

Sorry.

I should have said that better, like not realizing that for many of them, it's the last time they'll ever be back home for a period of time.

So from Gordium, it's now 333 BC.

So he's been campaigning for a year.

He's done quite a lot.

He's taken a lot of the Persian Western territories in the Mediterranean.

But continuing that thing of taking the port.

So his next stop is going towards what is one day Syria, Southeast Turkey today and Talia, I guess.

He knows that sooner or later Darius is going to be ready.

It's interesting you mentioned that ancient region known as Cilicia or Cilicia, that's southeastern Turkey.

If you're picturing the Mediterranean, think of the eastern Mediterranean where Cyprus is, north and east of that in that top east corner of the Mediterranean.

That border area is Cilicia.

It's famous for its fertile lands, but as you say, they can't stay there too long.

That's also, as you mentioned, where Alexander falls ill for a brief amount of time.

I think there's a story that Darius or someone

tries to bribe the medic, the doctor, to kill him, and he doesn't.

And Darius, by this time, you know, he's gathered an army.

He's come west and he's a bit to the south in Syria.

I think there's a story that he's actually prepared a big plane for his large army where he wants Alexander to come and fight him.

But Alexander is delayed because he's ill.