ATHENS, Jan 27: Greece on Tuesday discussed with Iraqi officials plans to build a statue to Alexander the Great in northern Iraq to mark a key 331 BC battle site which led to the fall of the Persian empire.

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said she was involved in the talks along with Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari, who said: “It’s a great idea and we back it.”

The Battle of Gaugamela took place between Alexander and Darius III of Achaemenid Persia near the present-day Iraqi city of Mosul. It resulted in a massive victory for the Macedonians.

Alexander (356 BC to 323 BC) was one of the most successful military commanders of all time and by the time of his death, had conquered most of the world known to the ancient Greeks -- going as far up to India.

After the Battle of Gaugamela, Alexander proclaimed himself king of Asia at the age of 25.

The project “must symbolise the reciprocal influence between the people” of Greece and Iraq, the Greek foreign minister said.

Greece claims Alexander as part of its heritage, partly due to the fact that he was tutored by Aristotle.—AFP