Alexander- Empire Builder

objective Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of ancient Greece in terms of its impact on Western Civilization by: ▫Explaining the conquest of Alexander the Great and the formation and spread of Hellenistic culture by Alexander the Great Essential Question ▫How did the empire of Alexander the Great establish a basis for the spread of Hellenistic culture?

By age thirty-two Alexander had: Become King of Macedonia ▫Commanded more than 30,000 troops Conquered the known world ▫From Egypt to India Married three wives, had two children Crowned an Egyptian pharaoh Had his prophecy read by the Oracle of Delphi Had 12 cities named after him

Map Activity Label and locate the following: ▫Black Sea ▫Caspian Sea ▫Mediterranean Sea ▫Arabian Sea ▫Persian Gulf ▫Arabia ▫Tigris River ▫Indus River ▫Caucasus Mountains Color ▫Alexander’s empire at its height Questions ▫Why did Alexander’s conquest stop at India? ▫Why did Alexander’s conquests not go further into Africa and the Arabian Peninsula? ▫What city was the location of the farthest east battle?

Philip builds Macedonian power Macedonia located north of Greece ▫Rough mountains and cold climate Led to tough people who lived in mountain villages, not city-states ▫Looked at as barbarians, uncivilized Peloponnesian War weakened Greek city-states Philip becomes king of Macedonia in 359 B.C.

Philip as King 23 years old ▫Brilliant general, ruthless politicians Transformed army into well- trained machine ▫Used phalanxes, heavy formation  Once phalanx broke through, used Calvary Attacked Greece and won at Chaeronea ▫Alexander leads successful Calvary charge ▫Ended Greek freedom and independence Planned attack on Persia Died in 336 B.C. ▫Stabbed to death at daughter’s wedding ▫Alexander proclaimed king

Alexander the King Only 20 years old Good education ▫Taught by Aristotle ▫Strong military training ▫Looked up to Achilles, Homer’s Iliad Demonstrates ability to rule ▫Puts down rebellion in Thebes ▫Destroys the city, kills 6,000 people ▫Survivors sold into slavery ▫Other Greek city-states frightened

Alexander’s Invasion of Persia Wanted to carry out father’s plan 334 B.C. led 35,000 troops into Anatolia Troops met at Granicus River ▫Alexander attacks first ▫Calvary destroys Persians Darius III responds ▫Raises army between 50, ,000 men ▫Outnumbered Macedonians ▫Alexander attacks, aims for Darius ▫Darius flees

Alexander’s Ambitions Darius attempted to make peace by offering 1/3 of empire ▫Alexander rejects Marched to Egypt 322 B.C. ▫Welcomed with open arms ▫Visits temple of Zeus-Ammon ▫Crowned pharaoh Faced Darius ▫Returns to Persia ▫Darius raises army of 250,000 ▫Battle of GaugamelaGaugamela  Alexander victorious ▫Occupied Persian Territories  Babylon, Susa, Persepolis

Alexander’s Other Conquests Pursuit of Darius ▫Chased Darius through Persia ▫Found his body near Caspian sea ▫After, turned east towards end of the continent India ▫327 B.C. crossed Indus Valley ▫Wins crucial battle at Hydaspes River  Difficult battle, 200 war elephants  Moral low ▫Had fought for 11 years, more than 11,000 miles ▫Decided to return to Macedonia Alexander’s Death ▫323 B.C. became ill with fever in Babylon

Alexander’s Legacy Empire split ▫Antigonus: Macedonia/Greece ▫Ptolemy: Egypt ▫Seleucus: Persian Empire Ended era of Greek city-states Blend of new customs ▫Greek, Egyptian, Eastern ▫Example:  Forced soldiers to take Persian wives  Adopted Persian style of dress and customs  Integrated army with Persians Influenced: ▫Julius Caesar, Hannibal, George Washington, Napoleon, George Patton ▫Studied Alexander’s war tactics  Still today at military schools  Connection with soldiers/loyalty  Charismatic commander  Shared danger, led charge

objective Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of ancient Greece in terms of its impact on Western Civilization by: ▫Explaining the conquest of Alexander the Great and the formation and spread of Hellenistic culture by Alexander the Great Essential Question ▫How did the empire of Alexander the Great establish a basis for the spread of Hellenistic culture?