Alexander the Great Section 3

Get Ready to Read Section Overview Alexander the Great This section discusses Alexander the Great, his wide-reaching empire, and how his conquest spread Hellenism throughout southwest Asia.

Get Ready to Read (cont.) Alexander the Great Get Ready to Read (cont.) Focusing on the Main Ideas Phillip II of Macedonia united the Greek states. Alexander the Great conquered the Persian Empire and spread Greek culture throughout southwest Asia.

Reading Strategy Alexander the Great Sequencing Create a diagram like the one on page 174 of your textbook to track the achievements of Alexander the Great.

Macedonia Attacks Greece Alexander the Great Macedonia Attacks Greece Macedonia was a powerful kingdom that lay north of Greece. Philip II needed to unite Greece with Macedonia to defeat the Persian Empire. After training a vast army, Philip began taking over the Greek city-states. (pages 175–176)

Macedonia Attacks Greece (cont.) Alexander the Great Macedonia Attacks Greece (cont.) A lawyer named Demosthenes tried to warn the Athenians about Philip, but it was too late. The Macedonians defeated the Greeks at the Battle of Chaeronea. After this battle, Philip controlled all of Greece. (pages 175–176)

Alexander the Great What led to the Athenians’ defeat? The Greek city-states had been weakened in the Peloponnesian War, and their population had declined. Many farms had been destroyed during the war, and young people had no way to earn a living, so they had left Greece to join the Persian Army.

Alexander Builds an Empire Alexander the Great Alexander Builds an Empire Alexander the Great became king of Macedonia after his father, Philip, died. Alexander began his conquest of the Persian Empire in 334 B.C. with the Battle of Granicus. Alexander’s forces destroyed the Persian forces. A year later, Alexander defeated the Persian army at Issus and freed the Greek cities in Asia Minor. (pages 176–179)

Alexander Builds an Empire (cont.) Alexander the Great Alexander Builds an Empire (cont.) He then captured Syria and Egypt. Alexander built the city of Alexandria as the center of business. It became one of the most important cities in the ancient world. Alexander continued his conquest of the Persian Empire by fighting in modern Pakistan, India, and Iran. (pages 176–179)

Alexander Builds an Empire (cont.) Alexander the Great Alexander Builds an Empire (cont.) In 323 B.C., Alexander planned to invade southern Arabia, but he became ill and died. A legacy is what a person leaves behind when he or she dies. Alexander’s legacy is his skill and daring. Alexander’s conquests marked the beginning of the Hellenistic Era. (pages 176–179)

Alexander Builds an Empire (cont.) Alexander the Great Alexander Builds an Empire (cont.) The lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. A fire in its tall tower guided ships into harbor. (pages 176–179)

Alexander Builds an Empire (cont.) Alexander the Great Alexander Builds an Empire (cont.) This was a time when Greek language and ideas spread to non Greek areas of southwest Asia. After Alexander’s death, his generals fought for power, and Alexander’s empire ended. Four kingdoms emerged in its place. Government business in the four kingdoms was conducted in the Greek language. (pages 176–179)

Alexander Builds an Empire (cont.) Alexander the Great Alexander Builds an Empire (cont.) People who did not speak Greek could not hold government jobs. This helped the Greeks maintain control. New cities were created in the Hellenistic Era, and these cities needed architects, engineers, and philosophers. The rulers of the four kingdoms sent Greek colonists to southwest Asia to help build the cities. In this way, Greek culture spread. (pages 176–179)

Alexander the Great Name current or recent figures who might also merit the title “the Great.” Why?