Alexander the Great World History/Napp

“In 338 B.C., Philip II, the king of Macedonia (an area north of Greece), brought all the Greek city-states under his control. His son, Alexander the Great, went on to conquer most of the Mediterranean world – including Persia and Egypt. He founded new cities, some of which he named after himself. Alexander even extended his conquests to the IndusRiver valley. Although his empire collapsed shortly after his early death, his conquests helped to spread Greek culture throughout the ancient world.

Alexander was only twenty when his father died. Two years later, Alexander marched eastward with 35,000 soldiers. Alexander’s soldiers quickly conquered Asia Minor. They then freed Egypt from Persian rule. Next, Alexander moved east again and conquered Babylon. He continued to move eastward and by 330 B.C., he had defeated all the Persian armies. For four more years, Alexander’s tired army moved eastward. They went as far as the IndusRiver. For the Greeks, this was the end of the known world. Alexander wanted to push on, but his men begged him to turn back. In 323 B.C., Alexander developed a fever in Babylon. Within a few days, the thirty-two-year-old leader was dead. For 13 years, Alexander ruled. During that time, he had changed the world.

After his death, his followers created separate kingdoms in Egypt, Persia, and the other areas that Alexander had conquered. These kingdoms often fought each other. But one thing held them together – their Greek culture. Throughout the Middle East, people adopted Greek customs. Greek immigrants, traditions, and the use of the Greek language spread. As Greek culture spread eastward, it blended with other cultures. This blend of eastern and western cultures is called Hellenism. The word comes from the Greek word “Hellas”, which means “their own land” or “Greece.” An important new culture emerged. Known as Hellenistic Culture, it was a blend of Greek, Persian, Egyptian, and Indian influences.”~ World History

Alexander the Great’s conquests of Greece, Asia Minor, Egypt, and Persia led to the
(A) spread of Hellenic culture
(B) adoption of a feudal system
(C) establishment of representative democracy
(D) spread of Islamic culture throughout Europe
Who took the throne in Macedonia after King Philipp II was assassinated?
(A)Alexander
(B)Philip III
(C)Darius II
(D)Archimedes / What was one effect of Alexander the Great’s conquests?
(A) expansion of Hellenistic culture
(B) formation of the Christian church
(C) decreased importance of the Silk Roads
(D) increased support of the Mayan leaders
Hellenism is
(A)A Greek-like culture
(B)Macedonian culture
(C)Alexander’s own unique culture
(D)Egyptian culture
Conquests / Central Asia and India / Legacy
- Instead of waiting for the Persians to make the first move, Alexander ordered his cavalry to attack
- Leading his troops into battle, Alexander smashed the Persian defenses in Anatolia
- Alexander then marched into Egypt, a Persian territory, in 332 B.C.
- The Egyptians welcomed Alexander as a liberator
- The Egyptians crowned him pharaoh – or god-king
- Alexander then conquered Mesopotamia, another Persian territory
- Within a short time, Alexander’s army occupied Babylon, Susa, and Persepolis
- These cities yielded a huge treasure, which Alexander distributed among his army
- A few months after it was occupied, Persepolis, Persia’s royal capital, burned to the ground; some people said Alexander left the city in ashes to signal the total destruction of the Persian Empire or perhaps the fire was set in revenge for the Persian burning of Athens – it remains a mystery / - During the next three years, Alexander’s army fought its way across the desert wastes and mountains of Central Asia
- He pushed on, hoping to reach the farthest edge of the continent
- In 326 B.C., Alexander and his army reached the Indus Valley
- At the Hydaspes River, a powerful Indian army blocked their path
- After winning a fierce battle, Alexander’s soldiers marched some 200 miles farther, but their morale was low
- They had been fighting for 11 years and had marched more than 11,000 miles
- They had endured both scorching deserts and drenching monsoon rains
- The exhausted soldiers yearned to go home
- Bitterly disappointed, Alexander agreed to turn back / - Alexander became seriously ill with a fever and died while returning with his soldiers home
- He was just 32 years old
- After Alexander died, his Macedonian generals fought among themselves for control of his empire
- Eventually, three ambitious leaders won out: Antigonus, Ptolemy and Seleucus
- Ignoring the democratic traditions of the Greek polis, these rulers and their descendants governed with complete power over their subjects
- But Alexander’s conquests had an interesting cultural impact
- Wherever he went, Alexander spread Greek culture
- He also adopted aspects of the cultures of the people he conquered
- A vibrant new culture emerged from his blend of Greek and Eastern customs
- Hellenism or a Greek-like culture was spread by Alexander the Great

Identify and explain the following terms:

Pharaoh

Mesopotamia

Persepolis

Alexander’s Empire

Indus River Valley

Hellenism

- Which of Alexander’sconquests do you think wasthe most significant? Why?

- What happened to Alexander’sempire after his death?

- Do you think thatAlexander was worthy of the title “Great”? Explain.

- If Alexander had lived, do you think hewould have been as successful in ruling his empire as hewas in building it? Explain.

- Why do you think Alexanderadopted Persian customs and included Persians in hisarmy?

- According to the timeline, when did Alexander enter Egypt and found the city of Alexandria?

- According to Alexander, when did Alexander’s army reach the Indus River Valley and in what year did Alexander die?

Alexander the Great’s conquests of Greece, Asia Minor, Egypt, and Persia led to the
A) spread of Hellenic culture
B) adoption of a feudal system
C) establishment of representative democracy
D) spread of Islamic culture throughout Europe / Alexander the Great set fire to Persepolis because Xerxes put a torch to:
A) Athens
B) Rome
C) Alexandria
D) Tyre

Alexander 356–323 B.C.

“When Alexander was only eight ornine years old, he tamed a wildhorse that none of his father’sgrooms could manage. Alexandercalmed the horse, whose name wasBucephalus, by speaking gently. Seeing the control that Alexanderhad over the horse, Philip II said:

‘You’ll have to find another kingdom;Macedonia isn’t going to be big enough for you.’

Alexander took his father’s advice. Riding Bucephalus at the head of agreat army, he conquered the landsfrom Greece to the Indus Valley. When the horse died in what is now

Pakistan, Alexander named the city ofBucephala after it. Maybe he wastired of the name Alexandria. By thattime, he had already named at leasta dozen cities after himself!”

~ World History

- Why did Philip II say that Macedonia was not big enough for Alexander”?

- Why was the city named Bucephala?