Arbela, a Town of Assyria

1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri.

Arbela, a Town of Assyria upon the River Lycus, famous for the 3d Battle which Alexander fought against Darius, the gaining of which won him the Empire of Persia. This Battel was fought Octob. 1. in the 2d year of the CXII Olympiad, 331 years before Christ, and several Authors observe, that there was a great Ecclipse of the Moon 11 days before the Fight. Tavernier. Q. Curt. l. 1. c. 1. The place of Battel was a pleasant and fruitful Plain, about 15 Leagues in compass, and well Watered. In the middle it has a Mountain upon which rises a Hill half a League in compass, covered with lovely Oaks. The Memory of Darius's defeat here is conserved by Tradition from Father to Son.