Alexander Empire Builder objective Students will be able
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 welltrained 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, 00075, 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 Gaugamela 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?
- Slides: 15