Alexander the GreatAlexandros III Philippou Makedonon

“I set no limits of labors to a man

of spirit. It is lovely thing to

live with courage, and to die,

leaving behind an everlasting

renown.”

The new and improved Alexander

Alexander’s Dad, King Philip IIApproached by Isocrates to unite the Greeks and then rise up against the PersiansPlan was to unite and then seize Persia’s wealth Revenge against Persia was already something Philip was familiar with

King Philip in all his beauty!

King Philip II, King of MacedonMacedonians were not as refined, lived in mountains.Looked down upon by the Greeks, favored only for their shrewd king.Transformed rugged peasants into warriors, doubled the size of the Greek phalanx’s.

Fearless Philip

After army was strengthened, he prepared to invade GreeceDemosthenes warningsToo late, Philip and his 18 yr. old son, Alexander, successfully defeated Athens and Thebes

King Philip II, Alex and Olympias

Father and son conquering allThe Corinth League was created as an alliance instead of the Macedonians occupying GreeceAt a celebration, a guardsman named Pausanias stabbed Philip, the favor was immediately returnedAlexander soon became king

Enter AlexanderTutored by the works of Homer and by Aristotle himself.Interested in stories about Achilles and Arête during the Trojan War.He intimidated other city-states in Greece into falling in line by how he handled ThebesGreece is secure, Persia is in for it

Persia’s Going DownWasting no time Alex and the Companions rode through the falling arrows and won the battle at Granicus.King Darius III was furious and vowed to destroy Alexander, the next war was at Issus. Alex and the Companions charged a fearful Darius, who then fled.

Companion vs. Persian Warrior

Alexander’s quest for Darius and Persia and Beyond

Egypt welcomed Alexander and granted him the city of Alexandria at the mouth of the NileAlthough Alexander was offered a truce by Darius III, Alexander was determined to confront him. They met again at Gaugamela, again Darius III fled, this victory ended Persian reign……..forever!

Alex sets his sights…He was an unopposed ruler in Southwestern Asia, but he could not get Darius out of his mindDarius III was found..murderedWanted to reach the “end of the world”, made it to India and WONAfter fighting for 11 years, marching for 7 years, and traveling over 11,000 miles, the weary soldiers finally reached Babylon.

The end of a heroAlexander had big plans for Asia; including, roads and explorationsNever carried it out, his rule ended when he caught a fever. His Kingdom was divided by 3 ambitious leaders.Total ruling time was 12 years and 8 monthsThe mix of the Greek and Persian ways introduced a new culture; HellenismTurn to page 146. Write about the influence of Hellenistic ideas in the categories of Astronomy, Geometry, Philosophy, and Art.

Lingering Questions…

Could Alexander have been as good in times of peace as he was in times of war?Did he achieve his goal of paralleling Achilles and the ideas of Arête?