Alexander the Great

Directions…. 1. Fill in any information you already know about him in “What I Know!” 2. Please write 2 questions/things you would like to learn about him in “What I want to Learn!”   What I Know What I Want to Learn What I have Learned Who was Phillip II? What is he best known for? Describe Alexander the Great. What did he do with his father’s goal? What areas did he conquer? What is the Hellenistic Age? Name one city that was the center for learning during the Hellenistic Age.

DISCUSSION OPENER- (5 MINUTES) CONSIDERING THE GOVERMENTS WE REVIEWED RECENTLY, DO YOU BELIEVE ANY OF THE LEADERS (REPRESENTATIVE, KING, DICTATOR/TYRANT, WEALTHY ARISTOCRATS) WOULD BE ABLE TO UNIFY ALL OF THE FIERCLY, INDEPENDENT CITY-STATES WITHIN GREECE UNDER ONE RULER? IF THEY WERE SUCCESSFUL, HOW LARGE WOULD THEIR EMPIRE EXPAND? COULD IT EXPAND OVER MULTIPLE COUNTRIES, CONTINENTS, ETC..

Greece city-states were at constant war with one another due to their intense sense of independence. It wasn’t until later that a non-Greek royal family came and unified Greece under one rule! Not only were they able to unify diverse city-states but they also created an empire on THREE continents!

Phillip II lost his right eye during his siege of Methone Macedonian King Father to Alexander the Great Great military leader “Divide & Conquer” Assassinated Unified Greek City-States Phillip II lost his right eye during his siege of Methone

Map of Macedonia

Alexander had one blue eye and one brown eye. Alexander the Great FYI: Historians believe that Alexander was considered to be a handsome man. (Perhaps this helped him advance in his conquests?) Came to power at the age of 20 Studied under Aristotle Completed & expanded his father’s rule Alexander had one blue eye and one brown eye.

Alexander invaded and defeated the Persian Empire, not once but twice! Conquests Alexander invaded and defeated the Persian Empire, not once but twice! 1st attempt 334 B.C. After being attacked with a storm of arrows, Alexander ordered an attack rather than a retreat. The Persians fled in terror! 2nd attempt 331 B.C. Persian army was much larger than Alexander’s Persian king abandoned his army on the battle field

He also conquered Syria & Phoenicia (Asia) He also defeated Egypt (Africa) & was crowned pharaoh! Alexander was crowned pharaoh in 332 B.C. The Greeks were the last of the pharaohs in Egypt under the Ptolemy dynasty founded by one of Alexander’s generals! EUROPE AFRICA ASIA

Facts He was always victorious Fell ill died Final Quest - India Fell ill died Never conquered India Had NO heir At 33, Alexander had conquered vast empires on Asia, Europe & Africa

Military strategy used by Phillip II and Alexander in their conquests. The Phalanx Military strategy used by Phillip II and Alexander in their conquests. The Gordian Knot The legend behind the ancient knot was that the man who could untie it was destined to rule the entire world. Alexander simply slashed the knot with his sword and unraveled it.

The Hellenistic Age Alexander spread Greek culture & adopted Asian ways This blending of cultures (Greek/Asian) became known as the “Hellenistic Age” lasted over 300 years Many cities in the empire began to pattern their development around Greek culture

Alexandria, Egypt became the center of trade & learning during the Hellenistic Age. It is also is the location of the world’s largest library. Can you guess why it’s called Alexandria?

Alexander the Great’s conquests are best known for spreading Greek culture and ideas throughout the Middle East and the Mediterranean world. His remarkable military training and leadership led him to create one of the most powerful empires the world has ever seen. Accomplishing so much at a young age and in a short period of time is why he was given the honorable title “Alexander the Great!” Alexander (25:16)