Alexander the Great

TSW Understand how Alexander’s military conquests had an impact on future cultures

Focus How did the Peloponnesian War pave the way for Philip’s conquest of Greece?

Alexander – Empire Builder Philip IIBucephalus Philip IIBucephalus MacedonAlexandriaMacedonAlexandria, Egypt MacedonAlexandria DemosthenesAlexandrian Library DemosthenesAlexandrian Library Darius III Darius III Hellenistic

PHILIP II of Macedonia  Educated in Thebes, familiar with Greek military techniques, and a very skillful politician  Genius at sizing up a situation and figuring out how to exploit it for his own advantage  Recognized that the Greek city-states would be easy pickings for anyone bold enough to attack them

DEATH OF PHILIP II  Assassinated at his daughter’s wedding – Succeeded by his 20-year old son, Alexander

ALEXANDER CREATES AN ARMY planned invasion of Persian Empire planned invasion of Persian Empire – Already had extensive military experience as his father’s chief general Needed Greek soldiers but Greeks did not deliver promised numbers Needed Greek soldiers but Greeks did not deliver promised numbers – Attacked Thebes in 335 and burned it to the ground  Slaughtered entire population or sold them into slavery  Taught Greeks a lesson and Greek recruitment into his army skyrocketed – had final force of 30,000 soldiers and 5000 horsemen

START OF ALEXANDER’S CONQUESTS Defeats Persia Defeats Persia  Then headed into Syria and took over the entire Mediterranean coast without any real resistance  Invaded Egypt where he was proclaimed pharaoh – Built city of Alexandria to celebrate event at the mouth of the Niles  Would become one of the greatest cities in the ancient world Lighthouse at Alexandria

ALEXANDER’S AMBITION Alexander continues to conquer eastward Alexander continues to conquer eastward – his destiny to conquer all territory up to the edge of the world  Some Macedonian advisors were against this plan – Also did not like the way Alexander had gone native  Wearing Persian clothes, adopting Persian rituals, appointing Persians to important positions, adding Persian contingents to the army, and marrying a Persian princess  Several conspiracies were launched to overthrow Alexander – He discovered all of them and killed all those involved

TO THE EDGE OF THE WORLD Marched east through Armenia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan and then crossed the Indus River into India Marched east through Armenia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan and then crossed the Indus River into India – Involved in some terrible battles in India but kept moving east – At the Hyphasis River, his men refused to move any further  Simply worn out and homesick  Alexander ultimately gave in and agreed to return home

PUNISHMENT Took southern route home through the horrible desert of southern Pakistan Took southern route home through the horrible desert of southern Pakistan – For reasons of revenge  Felt betrayed by mutiny in India and decided to punish his men by marching them through the desert – 50% of the army died during this march Finally made it back to Babylon in Finally made it back to Babylon in

ALEXANDER’S PLAN Was not interested in organizing an administration to govern his empire Was not interested in organizing an administration to govern his empire – Obsessed with creating a Macedonian/Persian master race  Ordered officers to marry Persian women  Tried to create a new Macedonian/Persian ruling class which would permanently join East and West – By blending conquered and conqueror, he hoped to install an element of stability in his empire

DEATH OF ALEXANDER In June 323, Alexander died at the age of 32 In June 323, Alexander died at the age of 32 – In the midst of planning the invasion of Arabia Exact cause of death is unknown Exact cause of death is unknown – Maybe pneumonia, malaria, alcoholic poisoning, or food poisoning – No one will ever know for sure

LEGACY Brilliant general and leader Brilliant general and leader – Seems at time to be a hero come to life from one of Homer’s poems Major contribution was the destruction of the Persian Empire Major contribution was the destruction of the Persian Empire – Opened the door for the penetration of Greek culture into the Middle East – Creates the Hellenistic cultures Big weakness was lack of concern for administrative matters Big weakness was lack of concern for administrative matters – Liked to conquer, not consolidate – Liked to fight, not govern – Empire died with him as a result  Virtually guaranteed by absence of any sort of centralized administrative structure

Was Alexander great or not so great? You will be given a few minutes to discuss this question with your group and then debate.

Using Smart Art, create chart that compares the positive and negative aspects of Alexander’s legacy. List 3 positives and 3 negatives of Alexander the Great