ALEXANDER: The life

1. ALEXANDER: The life

2. ALEXANDER: Birth & Youth 1) Where, and when was he born, and who were his parents? Pella, 356, Phillip 2 & Olympias 2) What age was he at death 32 3) When did he die 323 4) Who were the 4 primary sources, and were they eye-witnesses? Arrian - Greek Diodurus - Sicily Curtius Rufus – Rome Plutarch – Greek 5) What was the opinion of the Macedonians by the rest of Greece in 356? Uncultured, dangerous 6) What was the source of Macedonian strength? Wealth from the gold mines and Phillip’s stable rule 7) Where was Alexander’s mother, Olympias from Nation on Macedonia's Western border. Epirus

3. ALEXANDER: Birth & Youth 8) Why did Phillip marry so often Diplomacy 9) What is ‘different’ about Olympias? Ecstatic cults (Dionysus)/dynastic (wants her son on the throne) 10) What did Phillip dream of before Alexander’s birth A lion guarding Olympias’ womb 11) What Phillip off Olympias? Sleeping with a snake 12) What does he wonder as a result If Zeus could really be the father 13) As a result he sends to Delphi. What is his answer? Revere Zeus above all other deities, and that he will lose the eye that saw the serpent with Olympias 14) What is the old capital of Macedonia Aegae

4. ALEXANDER: Birth & Youth 15) Where does Alexander grow up Pella, the new capital 16) Who is his favourite author Homer 17) How old was he when he rode Beucephalus 13 18) His father said “Find yourself another kingdom. Macedonia is___” too small for you” 19) Who is his tutor Aristotle 20) According to Plutarch, Alexander said that Aristotle had taught him___ how to live well 21) He taught him to make no---- Assumptions 22) At this stage Alexander meets his lifelong friend, named --- Hephaestion

5. ALEXANDER: Philip’s life & death 23) By 340, Phillip controlled most of Greece. What was his innovation in the Phalanx a 15’-18’ long pike. So hoplites needed less heavy armour, so was more mobile. 24) What was Alexander’s reaction to his fathers conquests Jealous that there would be nothing left for him to conquer 25) What happened with the ambassadors at Aegae. He made a big impression outshining his father’s ambition. 26) Which two poleis were still a threat to Macedonia? Thebes and Athens 27) What was “the sacred band of Thebes”? 150 pairs of lovers/warriors. Invincible since 378 28) Who was backing Athens and Thebes against Phillip, why? King of Persia, to keep the threat of Phillips ambition at bay. 29) What is the battle of Chaeronea in 338 remembered for? The final showdown between Phillip and Athens/Thebes 30) Alexander commands the elite Companion Cavalry in the battle. How old is he? 18 31) What are two results of the battle? Proves Alexander’s potential as commander, Delivers Greece to Phillip

6. ALEXANDER: Philip’s life & death 32) What causes the breakdown between Phillip and Alexander? Phillip’s wedding to Cleopatra where Attalus’ challenged his right to the throne. from one table to another. 33) Why was this challenge so serious His mother was not Macedonian, so a son is born to Macedonian Cleopatra, would be the heir. 34) Who was Parmenio? Philip’s most trusted, senior general. 35) What is the source of the words “The bull is garlanded, the sacrifice is ready” Delphi’s answer to Philip re his Persian invasion. 36) How is this fulfilled? By Philip’s sacrifice/murder 37) What happened in 336 in Aegae Philip’s murder by Pausanius 38) Who does conspiracy theories suspect? Olympias & Alexander 39) What might have made it seem he was involved Motive – loss of succession Evidence destroyed by Alexander’s companions

7. ALEXANDER: taking over as Hegemon 40) What advice does he get regarding Greece, and what does he do Go carefully, he didn’t 41) Upon becoming king he takes control of Greece in how long? 6 months 42) What becomes of Philip’s wife, Cleopatra and the baby? Cleo suicides, baby killed by order of Olympias 43) What is different about his Delphic consultation? His ‘invinciblity’. 44) How does Olympias wind up Alexander about his possible divine parentage? Saying she will reveal a secrete about him when he returns form conquering Persia Extra) What greek city did he raze as an example to those who might think to rebel? Thebes – 6000 killed 20000 sold into slavery – very un-Greek

8. ALEXANDER: Asia minor 45) 40,000 troops ferried across the Hellespont – what 2 things are on his side? Weather is fine Persians are in quelling trouble in Egypt. 46) Claims Asia from whom? The Gods 47) He is met by Memnon of Rhodes commanding the Persians at which river? Granicus 48) Which 3 trusted advisers accompany Alexander? Hephaestion, Parmenion - Phillip's general, Callisthenes (Aristotles’ Nephew, & Alexander's publicist) 49) What is unusual about his tactics at Granicus? Head on attack across the river using phalanx and companion cavalry him leading from the front. (him leading from the front), rather than waiting and fording upstream. 50) 334BC Alexander heads inland to Gordium. What legendry event happens there? He cuts the Gordion Knot (and inherits the East) 51) What makes Alexander believe that the God’s approve? Thunderstorm that night 52) He moves south to meet Darius III in November 333BC. Where Issus 53) At Issus he is well outnumbered. What does Darius do to the adviser who tells him that Alexander’s soldiers are superior and his are too showy? Executes him

9. ALEXANDER: Asia minor 54) What is Darius’ strategic hit at the outset To move north so he cuts Alexander’s supply lines and forces him to attack from the south 55) What is Alexander’s advantage regarding the battle field Geography – Sea to the west, mountains to the east means that surrounding the Macedonians is unlikely 56) What might account for Alexander’s extraordinary fearlessness Sense of Destiny instilled by sense of divinity 57) Across which river did the forces of Alexander and Darius face each other? Pinarus 58) What makes the Phalanx less useful than usual at Issus The rough terrain 59) So what does the battle degenerate into Bloody hand to hand combat 60) How is the battle turned for the Macedonians? The Cavalry , led by Alexander 61) What about the Macedonian cavalry makes its strongest weapon? Its discipline, so the commanders can really control it. 62) Darius flees , Alexander is victorius. What action of Alexander ennobles him in the eyes of the defeated Persians? Protection of the King Darius’s family (mother, wife, 2 unmarried daughters.

10. ALEXANDER: Palestine 63) What is this symbolic of that HE is now the Persian king. 64) When Darius offers him part of his Empire and his daughter in marriage, he refuses. Parmenion says “I would take the offer if I were Alexander”. What does Alexander reply, and what does it show us about his intentions? And so would I if I were Parmenion. He thinks he is destined for more. 65) What is his reply to Darius? " Do not write to me as an equal.. all you own is now mine … if you want your kingdom, stand and fight for it.” 66) Where does he now push on toward Egypt , via Cyprus, Phoenicia, Tyre 67) What is the hiccup on his way to Egypt, and what does he do about it? Tyre, he takes 7 months to capture it by building a 600m long causeway – twice! 68) Why does he want to take Tyre? As a fortified island, Tyre is of great strategic value, (naval) – Also the Tyreans don’t let him worship at the temple of Heracles. 69) What does it show us about his personality Shows him to be very determined, proud, and ruthless. ( 8000 slaughtered, 30000 sold into slavery)

11. ALEXANDER: Egypt - Siwah 70) Carries on into Egypt (the a Persian holding but very wealthy, and “the bread basket of the region). What happens there. He takes it without a fight, is made Pharaoh (king and son of Ra - God), founds the first (of 30) Alexandria, 71) What happens at the desert oasis of Siwa in the temple of Zeus-Ammon. (6 week pilgrimage) to consult the oracle He was greeted as “son of God”. 72) What were the three questions he asked the god? And what were the answers Would he conquer the world? yes Had all his father’s murderers been punished? yes Was he the son of Zeus? Yes

12. ALEXANDER: 332BC Gaugamela 73) How did Darius prepare for The last showdown? Longer lances - 200 scythe bearing chariots 74) When Parmenion and the others saw Darius’ force what did they advise Alexander? A night attack because D was too mighty 75) What was Alexander’s response to this I will not steal my victory or give D reason to hope he could win later. 76) What is the story of his planning the battle, and what is the point we learn about him? He sat into the night till he had it right, then had an undisturbed sleep – telling us that maybe his confidence rested upon great preparation. 77) Compare the pre-battle speeches of the two leaders Alexander – we fight for glory and Asia. Darius- we fight for survival from defeat and disgrace

13. ALEXANDER: 332BC Gaugamela to Babylon 78) How did the Greeks try to deter the Scythed Chariots Making a din to frighten the Persians’ horses 79) What does Parmeneon thin is needed to save Macedonians from defeat? Alexander’s leadership 80) What tactics are used by Alexander? Entice the Persian strength – the cavalry (horses) to attack his left and right echelon flanks, then slip through a gap that would open in Persian ranks and attack Darius’ position himself. 81) What does Darius do Flees the battle field pursued by A, and the companion cavalry. 82) Casualty figures at Gaugemala? Macedonians: 100men, 1000 horses. Persians: 300 000 dead plus more prisoners (Arrian) 83) What are Alexander’s plans for Darius? Govern Persia under his command.

14. ALEXANDER: 330BC Persepolis 84) What did the Macedonians do at Persepolis, the Persian capital? Killed all the men thy met, plundered, and burnt the royal palace to the ground 85) How long does he stay there 4 months 86) What was his great weakness Booze 87) Why did Alexander want Darius alive? To Legitimise him as great King, and eliminate the false claimants. 88) Who is Bessus, and what did he do? One of Darius’s commanders. He kills him. 89) What does the dying Darius do? Says the gods will reward Alexander for his kindness to his mother, wife and daughters. 90) What happened to Bessus? He was torn in two by trees.

15. ALEXANDER: Unrest 91) What are the new challenges that emerge after the destruction of the Persian empire. Mission accomplished, so the Macedonians begin to be activate for returning home. 92) Philotas said what to Antigone, and what were the results? That all Alexander’s success was due to Him and his father Parmenion. Their enemies got working and eventually He and Parmenion were both executed. 93) What promotion does he give Haephestion Commander of the Companion Cavalry 94) His erratic behaviour continues, and in 329 he does something most unexpected. What? Falls for and marries Roxanne 95) The what ancient Persian tradition does he have his men honour? Bow to him Proskensis 96) What does Callisthenes (his own historian – Aristotles nephew) say about this, and with what result? That this is un-Greek. He looses Alexander’s favour, and executed. 97) What elements of is behaviour further undermine his men’s confidence in him? He really believes he were a god. He dresses as the Persian king, lives in eastern luxury with a harem, and succumbs to the unGreek vices of Persia. 98) What did this behaviour do to his relationship with the Macedonians They think he is turning against his own Greek culture – that Persian is superior, and his old friends, and they began to turn against him.

16. ALEXANDER: India–end of the road 99) What seems to be a cause for the campaign in India? Alexander is unchallenged, and his ambition needs continual conquest. 100) When he descends into India from the Khyber pass from the mountains of Afghanistan. King Porus stops him where, and with what unfamiliar weapon? River Hydespes, Elephants 101) Despite winning, what is the result of this? Saps Macedonian courage and they are determined to go no further into India 102) They go down the river to Malle. What is foretold to him? He will receive a serious wound. 103) They attack the walls and what does Alexander do, with what result? He is the first to enter the city, leaving himself exposed with only few comrades, and he is wounded in the chest.

17. ALEXANDER: Back to Babylon 104) During the next 2 years they travel back to towards Babylon. How ½ by land, ½ by sea 105) what happens in Ecbatana in July 324 with what effect? Hephaestion dies suddenly. Alexander seems to loose his will to continue 106) What is the next important event in Alexander’s life? His death in Babylon 323 107) What crisis does this set off? He names no successor, so chaos ensues about who will rule after him. 108) What happens to his conquered territories Divided among his commanders, resulting in wars for superiorty. 109) Explain the quote “Cratisto” Alexander’s last words – meaning he leaves his kingdom “to the strongest”

18. ALEXANDER: Summing up 110) What are some of the causes suggested for his death? Alcoholism, grief, exhaustion, poison, self destruction, Indian wound, disease, or combination. 111) What happens to his body? Hijacked to Alexandria, Egypt in the way back to Macedonia 112) What are some of his stats and legacy: One man leading 40,000 men more than 20,000 miles by foot and horseback over 12 years and conquering most of the known world. Walking the line between genius and insanity: 113) What was his cultural impact Behind his conquering army Greek cities were springing up spreading Greek language, culture and learning as far as India. The greatest force for the spread of Hellenistic culture around the world an internationalist.