(please correct me)
DARIUS III, A COWARD?
Often, Darius III has been branded of coward and incapable leader, and considered responsable for the Persian Empire fall and an example of its decadence. This is result of his runaways from the battle field in Issos and Gaugamela, that caused the definitive defeat of his armies which was adbocated to surrender when seen themselves abandoned by their king.
This unfair image has not in account that the Empira would dissappear without a king, reason why he preffered to escape before he would be captured or dead. Furthermore, the vast Persian resources always guaranteed the resistance against the invasor, while the monarch was alive. The Darius's last intention by abadoning the battle was preserve his Empire from the Alexander's Greed.