Download Alex and the Greeks 1

Alexander and the Greeks
Overview
 League
of Corinth 338 - 336 BC
 Destruction of Thebes 336 BC
 Athens and the Athenian prisoners 334
- 331 BC
 Sparta and King Agis’ revolt 333 - 331
BC
 Exiles’ Decree 324 BC
Background problems
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Relationship was ‘servant - master’ - Philip
had beaten the Greeks at Chaeronea
Greek city states all different and required
different handling by A.
Greeks disliked Macedonia
A. was overseas most of the time without
direct control over Greek cities
Some cities conspired against A. with Persia
once he was in the East
Exiled Greeks often fought as mercenaries
against A.
Why bother with the Greeks?
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STRATEGY: a) stop Macedonia being
attacked while his back was turned
b) he needed their help with
troops and ships
PERSONAL: A. admired Greek culture (esp.
Athens); his conquests spread Gk culture
Love - hate relationship: he admired them but
couldn’t abide their disloyalty
League of Corinth
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Treaty of Corinth after Chaeronea 338 BC
Signed at Corinth by all Greek States
EXCEPT Sparta who could still resist
Macedonia; all the others had no choice
Philip changed the Governments in each
state
Ref: Hamilton pp 36-37
Study Materials pp 8-10
1.
What did he do to Thebes and Athens?
2. Why was the treatment different?
3. Questions 26 and 27 worksheet
(homework), Ref: Study Materials pp8-9
Homework answers
Question 26
Philip had been made hegemon of the League
and commander-in-chief of all the Greek
forces; Alexander did not automatically
receive these honours BUT when he came to
the Peloponnese and met the assembled
Greeks Sparta refused (again) to
acknowledge Macedonian leadership and
Athens wanted to ignore him but were too
scared, so they gave him “even greater
honours than had been granted to Philip.”
(Diodorus)
Question 27
Sparta did not support A. and Macedon.
They claimed that “ancestral custom
enjoined them not to follow others, but
to lead” (Diodorus); that is, unless they
could be the boss they weren’t
interested.
Destruction of Thebes
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During Balkan campaign Thebes believed A.
had been killed and were first state to rebel
States believed if A. was dead the Treaty of
Corinth would be cancelled as A. had no heir
A. marched on Thebes and offered them a
chance to acknowledge him as hegemon;
they refused and Thebes was sacked with
6000 dead (the other Greek states joined A.
as they hated the Thebans more
Punishment was handed over to the League
of Corinth by A.
Questions on Thebes
Ref: Hamilton p49
1. What was the punishment for Thebes
after the second revolt?
Ref: Hamilton p50
2. Was A. responsible for Thebes
destruction?
Ref: Hamilton p50-51
3. How was Athens’ fate different?
Ref: Hamilton p136
Question 2 on worksheet
Athens and the fate of the
mercenaries
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2000 mercenaries (mostly Athenians) had
fought on the Persian side at Granicus in 334
BC - they were sent back to Macedonia as
prisoners
Athens negotiated for several years for their
return
Read SM 6 a Alexander and Athens
Acropolis - fortified citadel of Athens with all her temples
League members had sworn not to go to war with Macedonia, hence A.
was right to keep them prisoner
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Athenians next step was to send
delegates to beg for their release
when A. was in Gordium in 333 BC
Read SM 6b
1. Why did A. refuse to release the
prisoners?
2. What was A. ‘s attitude towards the
ambassadors?
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A. still had not forgiven the Athenians and
he kept them as hostages. It was not until
he returned to Tyre in 331 BC after going to
Egypt that he changed his mind
Read SM 6 c
Alexander had returned to Tyre to prepare for his next battle with
Darius (Gaugamela)
The importance of the occasion was shown by the State ship
being used and rowed by free men (not slaves) who all acted
as ambassadors
The revolt in the Peloponnese was being stirred up by Sparta
Alexander may have chosen this moment to forgive the Athenians
and return the prisoners because he didn’t want them to join
Sparta
Answer Questions 21 - 25 on worksheet.
Finish for homework