Chapter 8 Section 3

 Alexander the Great’s parents hired Aristotle to be his personal tutor.  Aristotle trained Alexander in literature, science, medicine, and philosophy.

 Macedonia: was a powerful kingdom that lay north of Greece. This is where Alexander the Great was born.  Why did Philip II need to unite Greece with Macedonia? to defeat the Persian Empire. How did he unite them?  After training a vast army, Philip began taking over the Greek city- states one-by-one. Who tried to warn the Athenians about Philip II?  A lawyer, Demosthenes, but it was too late.  Where did the Macedonians defeat the Greeks? at the Battle of Chaeronea (KEHRuhNEEuh). After this battle, Philip controlled most of Greece.

 What led to the Athenians’ defeat?  The Greek city-states had been weakened in the Peloponnesian War, and their population had declined.  Many farms had been destroyed during the war, and young people had no way to earn a living, so they had left Greece to join the Persian army.

 Who became king of Macedonia after Philip II died? Alexander the Great  Alexander began his conquest of the Persian Empire in 334 B.C. with the Battle of Granicus. Alexander’s forces destroyed the Persian forces.  A year later, Alexander defeated the Persian army at Issus and freed the Greek cities in Asia Minor. He then captured Syria and Egypt.

 What city did Alexander build in Egypt to become the center of business and trade? Alexandria. It became one of the most important cities in the ancient world.  Alexander continued his conquest of the Persian Empire by fighting in modern Pakistan, India, and Iran. In 323 B.C., Alexander planned to invade southern Arabia, but he became ill and died.  What is a legacy? what a person leaves behind when he or she dies.  What was Alexander’s legacy? his skill and daring helped him to expand his rule and spread the Greek culture which included Greek art, ideas, language, and architecture.

 How did Alexander plan to unite the people in his new empire?  He would use Persians as officials to discourage revolt.  He would encourage his soldiers to marry Persian women and settle in what was formerly Persian territory.

 Alexander’s conquests marked the beginning of the Hellenistic Era. What is this? This was a time when Greek language and ideas spread to non- Greek areas of southwest Asia.  After Alexander’s death, his generals fought for power, and Alexander’s empire ended. Four kingdoms emerged in its place. Government business in the four kingdoms was conducted in the Greek language. People who did not speak Greek could not hold government jobs.  This helped the Greeks maintain control.

 New cities were created during the Hellenistic Era. Hellenistic comes from a Greek word meaning “like the Greeks.” These cities needed architects, engineers, and philosophers.  Hellenistic rulers sent Greek colonists to southwest Asian to help build the cities.  In this way, Greek culture spread.

 How did Alexander show his courage? Alexander rode into battle ahead of his men, and he often risked his own life. He once refused water because there was not enough for all of his soldiers to have a drink. These things, along with the fact that he inspired his soldiers, caused some people to consider him to be a great military leader.