Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great Ruler of the World

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

Alexander’s Empire

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

Philip Alexander’s father Olympia Alexander’s mother

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

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

From Pompeii mosaic

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

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.

Defeating Dariusof 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

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

#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…

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

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

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

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

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

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

Antigonus Seleucus Ptolemy

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

Hellenistic Greece

Alexander’s Empire on the year of his death

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Alexander the Great