Alexander the Great Did Alexander deserve the legacy

Alexander the Great

Did Alexander deserve the legacy as ‘the Great’? • From 334 to his death in 323 BCE, Alexander III of Macedon (commonly referred to as Alexander the Great) set a campaign to extend Hellenistic culture far beyond the Greek archipelago. While he was known for his tolerant views toward local customs, historians have also critiqued the brutality of his military campaigns. Directions: Review the question(s) that accompany each document, analyze the document, and then answer the question(s) in complete sentences on the lines following each question. Prepare to discuss your document as it relates to our primary question.

Rise of Macedonia • Began with Alexander’s father – Philip II became king in 359 B. C. He set up 3 goals to accomplish: – – – • Create a strong Macedonia Unite the Greek city-states Defeat the Persian Empire Philip II accomplished goals 1 & 2 but he was assassinated before completing goal 3.

Alexander’s Reign • • • Alexander became the new king at age 20. He took up his father’s goal & by 327 B. C. , he had conquered the Persians and was known as the “King of Kings. ” Alexander established his capital in Babylon and married a Persian woman.

• His primary goal was to unite West and East: combine the best of Europe, Asia, and Africa. • Established cities in every conquered region (many named Alexandria). • Spread Greek culture which became known as Hellenistic culture: blend of East and West.

Alexander’s Empire

Alexander died in 323 B. C. after a short illness at the age of 33.

Division of Alexander’s Empire • • • Africa: Ptolemy (Cleopatra’s family) Asia: Seleucus Europe: Antigonus

By 31 B. C. most of Alexander’s Empire was again united by the Romans.

Alexander’s Legacy Hellenistic Cultural Achievements • Let’s take a look at some other cultural achievements that we can attribute to the cultural blending that was a result of Alexander’s conquest. Using a text or the online text identify advancements seen in astronomy, mathematics, and physics.

Persia • Contributions: – imperial bureaucracy - "king of kings" – Zoroastrianism – religion of the Persians – The Royal Road - 1 st "interstate" highway

People • Established by Cyrus the Great – known for his cultural and religious tolerance and expanded by Darius that built the Royal Road and established the imperial bureaucracy • Xerxes failed to conquer Greece

Zoroastrianism • Founded by the prophet, Zoroaster (or Zarathustra) – Belief in 2 opposing forces in the Universe – Good & Evil? o Ahuramazda – Supreme Being o Ahriman – opposing force • Worshipped forces of nature • Shared elements with 3 Monotheistic faiths – Judaism, Christianity & Islam

Greece & Alexander the Great • Persia is defeated by the United Greek city -states in Persian Wars • Ultimately taken over by the forces of Alexander the Great • Territory divided into SATRAPS