Download (Section IV): Alexander Builds a Great Empire

Section IV: Alexander Builds a Great Empire
(Pages 118-121)
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This section is about:
How Phillip II of
Macedonia gained control
over his own country and
then over all of Greece.
How his son Alexander
built a great empire that
stretched from Egypt to
India.
How Alexander’s empire
spread Greek culture
throughout much of the
ancient world.
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By about 400 BC, the Athenians,
the Spartans, and Thebes had all
tried to control Greece.
At the same time, Macedonia was
becoming stronger.
King Philip made friends with
many of the Greek city-states by
threatening, bribing, and
charming Greek leaders into
coming to his side.
People in Athens warned others
about Philip and Macedonia, but
by the time they listened, it was
too late.
Phillip’s 18 year old son
(Alexander) defeated Athens and
the southern Greek city-states in
battle.
Before Phillip could united Greece and
Macedonia (and Persia), he was assassinated.
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Alexander became
king of Macedonia
and ruler of Greece
(at 20).
He had the most
powerful army in
Europe
It was going to be
his “job” to conquer
the Persian Empire.
Alexander had great courage and leadership
abilities and was an inspiring commander
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Don’t forget - he was trained
under Aristotle.
He believed he would be equal
to Achilles (hero in the Trojan
War).
Alexander is thought of as one
of the greatest military leaders
of ancient times.
His army never lost a battle.
He not only captured existing
cities – he built new ones (like
Alexandria, Egypt).
Alexander continued on…
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He marched for 70 days into
India (during monsoon season).
They defeated an army of
soldiers mounted on elephants.
He wanted to keep going, but his
soldiers had enough (they had
marched about 11,000 miles).
He was disappointed, but was
forced to start back home.
Back in Babylon, Alexander got
sick, and died.
None of his men were powerful
enough to take over what
Alexander had built.
A Macedonian general named
Ptolemy I ended up being the
next ruler.
Because a lot of Greeks settled
in Alexander’s new cities
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They brought Greek
language, customs, and
culture with them.
This mixing of cultures is
called assimilation.
The mixing of Greek,
Egyptian, Persian, and
Indian civilizations culture
is called the Hellenistic
Period.
During the Hellenistic period
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Use of money increased.
For the first time – there were
real banks.
Cities like Rhodes became rich:
through trade.
Alexandria replaced Athens as
a center of learning and
education (had the largest
library, second tallest building,
and a giant statue (the
colossus).
Hellenistic writers even made a
list of… (in a couple of
slides)…
The Royal Library of Alexandria, was the largest and
most significant library of the ancient world
The Lighthouse at Alexandria
was said to have measured between
115 and 135 m (380 and 440 ft) in
height. It may have been the
world's third tallest building after
the two Great Pyramids. It Lasted
until 1303 (earthquake)
The Colossus of Rhodes was a statue of the Greek
Titan Helios, built on the Greek island of Rhodes
between 292 and 280 BC. It was constructed to
celebrate Rhodes' victory over the ruler of Cyprus
The Seven “Wonders” of the World
(the ancient world)
(from left to right, top to bottom): Great Pyramid
of Giza, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Temple of
Artemis at Ephesus, Statue of Zeus at Olympia,
Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Colossus of Rhodes,
and the Lighthouse of Alexandria
7 Wonders of the Ancient World
Great Pyramid of Giza
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
Statue of Zeus at Olympia
Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
Colossus of Rhodes
Lighthouse of Alexandria
Many inventions and discoveries
from this time are still useful today
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Hippocrates
Pythagoras
Eratosthenes
Euclid
Archimedes
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Geometry theorems,
invented the catapult, a
pulley and developed new
weapons.
Figured the Earth’s
circumference, made a
calendar with leap years,
worked with prime numbers.
Wrote a Geometry book that
was used for about 2000
years.
“The Father of Medicine”
Created a geometry formula
for figuring out the size of a
right triangle.
Horrible Histories: Alexander the Great
Horrible Histories: Alexander the Great Song