1. Alexander the Great
Ruler of the World

2. Why “the Great”?
In ten years, Alexander of Macedonia created the largest empire in the world up to that time
Alexander spread Greek culture, ensuring cultural diffusion and the survival of the qualities of classical Greece

3. Alexander’s Empire

4. Alexander’s origins Born in Pella, Macedonia Tutored by the Greek
philosopher, Aristotle
His father, Philip, was king of Macedonia, and had conquered the Greek city states during his 27 year reign

5.                                                                                
                                                           
Olympia
Alexander’s mother
Philip
Alexander’s father

6. Alexander Rules
Philip was murdered in 336 B.C. by an assassin…maybe hired by his wife, Olympia…
So Alexander was only 20
when he became king of
Macedonia
                                                   

7. Securing his father’s empire
Alexander squelched rebellions in the northern regions to the Danube River
In the process of reconquering the Greek city states, his forces destroyed Thebes, massacring all, including women and children

8. From Pompeii mosaic

9. Expanding the Empire
Alexander’s forces of over 40,000 crossed at the Dardanelles into Asia, where he declared that the whole of Asia would be won by the spear

10. The Gordian Knot
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.

11. Defeating Darius of Persia
#1: Alexander’s forced dispatched the Persian army, losing only 110 men (legend)
#2: Again Alexander was victorious, and Darius was forced to flee, abandoning is mother, wife and children to Alexander
                 

12. Major cities in Asia Minor and along the Phoenician coast surrendered to Alexander
Alexander proceeded to Egypt, where he established the city of Alexandria and was made pharaoh

13. Again, Darius fled… Alexander pursued…
#3: Yet again, Alexander’s forces defeated Darius, this time in Mesopotamia…
Alexander was proclaimed king of Persia and Darius’s royal city and palace were burned to the ground…
Persepolis
Again, Darius fled… Alexander pursued…

14. When Darius was found murdered by his own men, Alexander executed the assassins and gave Darius a royal funeral
                                                   
Ruins of
Persepolis

15. Alexander’s divinity While in Egypt, Alexander
had visited the temple of
Amon-Ra
The oracle proclaimed that Alexander was the divine son of Amon-Ra and destined to rule the world
Conflicts arose with his Greek soldiers as he adopted Persian dress & demanded to be recognized as a god

16. The limits of expansion
In the spring of 327 BC, Alexander and his army marched into India
As he conquered regions he allowed rulers to continue to govern in his name

17. In India, Alexander’s horse was killed…
Bucephalus
In India, Alexander’s horse was killed…
He mourned his loss and named a city in his honor
'O my son, look thee out a kingdom equal to and worthy of thyself, for Macedonia is too little for thee.'
Alexander on his favorite horse, Bucephalus
Philip to Alexander (Plutarch, Alexander 6.8.)

18. Retreat
At the Indus, the Macedonians rebelled and refused to go any farther
The forces travelled down the Indus and began the arduous journey back to Mesopotamia
His best friend, Hephaestion, died of a fever; to console himself, Alexander led a ferocious military campaign and went on a drinking binge

19. Securing a legacy Alexander made Babylonia the capital of his Empire
He married one of Darius’ daughters and “encouraged” 10,000 of his soldiers to take Persian wives
He died the following year at 33 before he could produce an heir and his kingdom was divided among 3 of his generals: Ptolemy, Seleucus and Antigonus

20. Antigonus
Seleucus
Ptolemy

21. The mystery of Alexander’s death
Alexander died of a fever at 33… but why?
Plutarch reports that he was had been plagued by several bad “omens”
Some others from the time claimed Alexander was poisoned during the drinking binge

22. Hellenistic Greece

23. Alexander’s Empire on the year of his death

24. What does mean to be Hellenistic?
Hellenistic - The blending of Greek cultures with those of Persia, Egypt, and Central Asia following the conquests of Alexander the Great.
Question to Consider: What is an empire? Give the definition and explain how Alexander the Greats’ conquests apply.

25. Blending Cultures
Best way to encourage cultural exchange is through marriage.
Alexander married Roxana of Bactria and Stateira of Persia.
He also did this to legitimize his claims to the Persian Empire.
Roxana bore Alexander a posthumous son (child born after the death of a parent). She named the child Alexander IV; unfortunately, he never reaches adulthood because he was murdered in a political plot.

26. Blending Cultures Cont…
Another great way to gain cultural exchange is through trade and education.
When Egypt built the city of Alexandria the most important achievement was the Library of Alexandria, which contained information on:
Philosophy
Literature
History
Science
Medicine

27. Life in the Hellenistic World
What was the most significant change in Hellenistic society?
Recall: the main political unit of Greece was the city-state.
After Alexander conquers much of the known world the political unit switches to kingdoms.

28. Hellenistic Achievements
Philosophy
Cynicism- rejected the ideas of pleasure, wealth, and social responsibility. Instead, they should live according to nature. Withdrew from society.
Many gave away possessions and became vagrants or wanderers. They were like homeless people in today’s society.
Epicureans- sought out pleasure, developed close friendships with those that shared similar beliefs
Pleasure- Good
Pain- Bad or Evil
Stoicism- placed emphasis on reason, self-discipline, emotional control, and personal morality.

29. Hellenistic Achievements cont…
Art and Literature
Art pieces conveyed emotion and movement.
Nike of Samothrace was carved in a flowing style.
Literature focuses on everyday lives.

30. Hellenistic Achievements cont…
Science and Technology
Euclid “Father of Geometry”
Formulated many of the ideas about geometry that we still use today.
Eratosthenes
Calculated the size of the Earth
Archimedes
Great Inventor: compound pulley & Mechanical screw for drawing water