Alexander the Alexander the GreatGreat

Background Background

Born in 356 BCE – in MacedoniaBorn in 356 BCE – in Macedonia Father, Philip II, began conquest of Father, Philip II, began conquest of

Greece in 359 BCE using 3 methods: Greece in 359 BCE using 3 methods: bribery, war, & marriagebribery, war, & marriage

By 338 BCE, he controlled all of Greece By 338 BCE, he controlled all of Greece except Sparta except Sparta

Philip’s goal was to conquer Persia, but Philip’s goal was to conquer Persia, but was assassinatedwas assassinated

Alexander became king at age 20 Alexander became king at age 20

Alexander avenged his father by conquering Alexander avenged his father by conquering PersiaPersia

Moved on to conquer Syria, Phoenicia, Moved on to conquer Syria, Phoenicia, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Indus River Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Indus River ValleyValley

His army refused to continue and at 33, His army refused to continue and at 33, Alexander dies under mysterious Alexander dies under mysterious circumstances.circumstances.

After his death, the empire was divided by After his death, the empire was divided by his generals and ultimately fell apart.his generals and ultimately fell apart.

Lasting effect of his rule: Hellenistic Culture Lasting effect of his rule: Hellenistic Culture (combination of Greek and Middle Eastern (combination of Greek and Middle Eastern culture) and major advancements in Math culture) and major advancements in Math and Science.and Science.

Alexander the HeroAlexander the Hero

Conqueror and ruler of an enormous Conqueror and ruler of an enormous empireempire

Considered the greatest military leader of Considered the greatest military leader of all timeall time

Spread Greek culture and ideas Spread Greek culture and ideas throughout the ancient worldthroughout the ancient world

Showed an interest in the culture of Showed an interest in the culture of people he conqueredpeople he conquered

Background

Alexander the VillainAlexander the Villain

Accomplishments were due to the Accomplishments were due to the powerful military his father King Philip II, powerful military his father King Philip II, left himleft him

Ruthless and Cruel with a fierce temperRuthless and Cruel with a fierce temper Mistreated his own loyal advisors and Mistreated his own loyal advisors and

soldierssoldiers

Background

Conquests of Conquests of Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great

Alexander in ThebesAlexander in Thebes

Alexander in ThebesAlexander in Thebes

HeroHero Unified all of Greece by putting down the rebellion in Unified all of Greece by putting down the rebellion in

Thebes. Showed compassion toward some of the Thebes. Showed compassion toward some of the rebels. rebels.

VillainVillain Brutally put down the attempt of the people of Thebes to Brutally put down the attempt of the people of Thebes to

declare their independence and freedomdeclare their independence and freedom Killed more than 6,000 Thebans and sold more than Killed more than 6,000 Thebans and sold more than

20,000 Thebans into slavery and destroyed the city.20,000 Thebans into slavery and destroyed the city.

Alexander in EgyptAlexander in Egypt

Alexander in EgyptAlexander in Egypt

HeroHero Welcomed in Egypt more as a savior than as an invader Welcomed in Egypt more as a savior than as an invader

and enthroned as king.and enthroned as king. Founded the city of Alexandria which became a great Founded the city of Alexandria which became a great

center for learning and Greek and Near Eastern culturecenter for learning and Greek and Near Eastern culture

VillainVillain Only founded the site for the City of Alexandria. Only founded the site for the City of Alexandria.

Emphasis on Greek culture and scholarship excluded Emphasis on Greek culture and scholarship excluded the Egyptians form any key role in the city’s the Egyptians form any key role in the city’s development.development.

Alexander in PersepolisAlexander in Persepolis

Alexander in PersepolisAlexander in Persepolis HeroHero

Defeated the mighty Persian army at the Battle of Issus. Defeated the mighty Persian army at the Battle of Issus. Then conquered the Persian Empire. Then conquered the Persian Empire.

Showed respect for the native people by appointing Showed respect for the native people by appointing Persian governors in conquered territories and allowed Persian governors in conquered territories and allowed people to continue to practice their religious traditions.people to continue to practice their religious traditions.

VillainVillain Military campaign against Persia was brutal and Military campaign against Persia was brutal and

relentless, without regard for the casualties of either the relentless, without regard for the casualties of either the Persians or the his own troops.Persians or the his own troops.

Plundered the riches of Persepolis and burned it to the Plundered the riches of Persepolis and burned it to the ground destroying the culture. ground destroying the culture.

Alexander in IndiaAlexander in India

Alexander in IndiaAlexander in India HeroHero

Defeated the army of the Indian king Porus, Defeated the army of the Indian king Porus, overcoming heavy rains and the army’s use of overcoming heavy rains and the army’s use of elephants.elephants.

Interested in Indian culture and religionInterested in Indian culture and religion Questioned Indian holy men to learn more about Questioned Indian holy men to learn more about

HinduismHinduism VillainVillain

Forces spent three years ruthlessly putting down any Forces spent three years ruthlessly putting down any resistance, slaughtering males and selling females and resistance, slaughtering males and selling females and children into slavery.children into slavery.

His own troops finally demanded that he turn around His own troops finally demanded that he turn around and go home.and go home.