 In the previous invasion of Asia Minor by the Spartan king Agesilaus II, the Persians had pinned him in Asia Minor while fomenting rebellion in Greece.Darius attempted to employ the same strategy, with the Spartans rebelling against the Macedonians, but the Spartans were defeated at Megalopolis.Darius did not actually take the field against Alexander's army until a year and a half after Granicus, at the Battle of Issus in 333 BC.