How was Alexanders army able to deal with the Persian archers?

[Marcus Darkstar]

Hey guys,

I know this is a bit out of EB time frame but I'm sure most peeps here have a good knowledge of this time period.

Through the number of engagments Alexander army had the army of Darius III how would his phalanx and cavalry delt with the number and I imagine good quality of Persian archers?

I'm not as versed as these fine fellows in Alexander's campaigns but didnt he have contingents of Cretan Archers? I know he had no where near the numbers of the Persian Archers but Alexander did have his own...

That said wasnt most of Daruis's Persian archers using a simplier bow not the compound bow which had only the range of around a hundred meters? Aint a big distance to close wtih calvary and heavy infantry. Them being peasant archer levies i doubt the average persian all had compound bows... I know better persian troops like the horse archers etc used them because their the only way you can have effective horse archers but i would give them a grade far above levies..