Download To Spread Greek Culture, to Conquer a Vast Empire: Alexander the

To Spread Greek Culture, to Conquer a Vast Empire: Alexander the Great
E. Napp
Objective: To identify the location of Alexander the Great’s empire and to explain several
effects of Alexander’s conquests
Do Now: What is an empire? Name two empires in world history.
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Map Questions:
 From which Sea in the West to which ocean in the East did Alexander’s empire
stretch?
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 Which famous river in Africa was part of Alexander’s empire?
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 Which land was NOT part of Alexander’s Empire: Mesopotamia, Bactria, or the
Italian peninsula?
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 Which land was NOT part of Alexander’s Empire: Macedonia, Media, or China?
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 Using the map, which definition below is the best definition of an empire?
Choice #1 Definition of Empire:
A political unit having an extensive territory or comprising a number of
territories under a single ruler

Choice #2  Definition of Empire
A group of people united by a common culture and history
Answer: _____________________________________________________
Explain the reason for your choice:
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Reading: Alexander the Great (A Crossword Puzzle Follows the Reading)
“I am not afraid of
an army of lions
led by a sheep; I
am afraid of an
army of sheep led
by a lion.”’
~Alexander the
Great
Alexander was born in 356 B.C. in Macedonia, the son of Philip II and Olympias. From
age 13 to 16, he was taught by the Greek philosopher, Aristotle, who inspired him with an
interest in philosophy, medicine, and scientific investigation. In 336, on Philip’s
assassination, Alexander succeeded his father on the throne. Quickly putting down a
rebellion of Greek city-states and then setting his sights on the conquest of the Persian
Empire (today, Persia is known as Iran), Alexander began the conquest of a vast empire.
Alexander’s armies conquered did Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Persian Empire and
traveled all the way to India, the end of the known world to the Macedonians and Greeks.
In India, his men tired and begged to return home. On the way home, Alexander died of a
fever. (Adapted from Britannica.com)
Alexander the Great was one of the finest leaders in world history. He ruled for only ten
years, but his empire grew quickly, soon becoming the largest empire the world had ever
known. Alexander was intelligent, tough and determined. Many of the battles he fought
were won with unconventional military tactics, and he regularly destroyed armies three or
four times bigger than his own.
Recurring themes in Alexander’s battle victories are those of opportunism and invention.
Where one road was inappropriate or didn’t exist, Alexander often ordered his men to
build a new one. When Alexander attacked the island city of Tyre, for example, his men
built across the sea in order to attack the island! And when Alexander’s soldiers were
besieged in a narrow gorge on the way to Persepolis, he found a local guide to lead the
army along animal tracks and into a position of advantage. Alexander’s great ability to
solve problems and his determination to succeed against all odds surprised and baffled his
enemies many times. (Adapted from Pearson.com)
But while Alexander’s empire was divided at his death and thus a short-lived empire,
Alexander spread Greek culture or Hellenism (Hellas was the Greek word for Greece)
wherever he traveled and in spreading Greek culture, Alexander profoundly changed
history in the Mediterranean world and the Middle East (Southwest Asia). Alexander and
his spread of Hellenism even influenced Indian culture.
“A tomb now suffices him for whom the whole world was not sufficient.”
~Alexander the Great
Explain the quote:
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Edgar Degas
Alexander and Bucephalus, 1861/1862
The Story of Alexander and Bucephalus:
Bucephalus, the horse, was very vicious
and unmanageable. He reared up
whenever a rider tried to mount him, and
would not so much as endure the voice of
any of Philip's attendants. Finally, it was
decided that the horse was wholly useless.
But Alexander, who stood by, said, “What
an excellent horse do they lose for want of
address and boldness to manage him!”
Philip at first took no notice of what the boy
said; but when he heard him repeat the
same thing several times, and saw he was
much vexed to see the horse sent away,
said,
“Do you reproach those who are older than yourself, as if you knew more, and were better
able to manage the horse than they?”
“I could manage this horse,” replied Alexander, “better than others do.”
“And if you do not,” said Philip, “what will you forfeit for your rashness?”
“I will pay,” answered Alexander, “the whole price of the horse.”
At this the whole company fell out laughing.
But Alexander immediately ran to the horse, and taking hold of the bridle, turned him
directly towards the sun, having, it seems, observed that the horse was disturbed at and
afraid of the motion of his own shadow; and stroking the horse gently, Alexander with one
nimble leap securely mounted the horse without either striking or spurring him.
Upon seeing his son’s success, Philip said, “Oh, my son, look thee out a kingdom equal to
and worthy of thyself, for Macedonia is too little for thee.”
The Power of A Story:
 What characteristics does Alexander demonstrate at a young age?
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 How does the young Alexander impress his father and the other adults?
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