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Just visit historyhit.com slash subscribe. It's spring, 334 BC, and a fleet of ships sail across the small stretch of water that divides Europe from Asia, the ancient Hellespont,

the modern-day Dardanelles in Turkey. The sun beams brightly and the waters are calm.

A gentle and favourable breeze helps the vessels eastwards. The ships are fooled to the brim with soldiers and horses.

Supplies of food, weapons and armour are also not too far away. Vital cargo for the campaign

ahead. The soldiers wear tunics, not armour. They're not expecting any attack.

For many, this would have been the first time they had ever been on board a ship.

They're anxious to reach dry land as soon as possible.

The horses likewise are eager for a return to terra firma

and the freedom to stretch their legs and

graze once more. Thankfully, the voyage is short. Soon enough, thousands of men and

mounts will disembark onto Asian soil, ready to follow their leader on his most daring campaign

to date. Their leader is a young king, standing at the prow of his own ship.

Barely in his twenties, he oozes with confidence.

He is dressed in splendid royal armour, a purpled cloak,

and a lion-shaped helmet topped by a crest, with white plumes

protruding out either side. His eyes are intensely focused on the coastline that's fast approaching.

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