Alexander the Great

Philip of Macedon King of Macedonia, 359-336 BC Conquered most of Greece (through his military, or through alliances) by the time of his death Assassinated by Pausanias, one of his bodyguards, for reasons still not clear. Upon his death, his son Alexander took the throne.

Alexander the Great Consolidated power by killing off his rivals Defeated Balkan kingdoms north of Macedonia, then destroyed Thebes to regain superiority over Greece (except Sparta) In 334 BC he crosses into Anatolia (Turkey) to conquer Persia.

334 BC: Battle of Granicus: Alexander defeats the Persian Army at a river crossing 333 BC: Battle of Issus: Alexander destroys the Persian Army and captures King Darius’ family 332 BC: Battle of Tyre: Alexander captures Tyre, kills off the men, and sells the women and children into slavery

332 BC: Egypt welcomes Alexander as a liberator, a new city is founded named “Alexandria” 331 BC: Alexander defeats Persian army at Gaugamela. King Darius is assassinated shortly after. 326: Alexander defeats an Indian army at Hydaspes.

Alexander returns to Babylon – 324 BC Executes disloyal governors Marries his officers to Persian women Sent older Macedonians back home Planned an invasion of Arabia Died in 323 BC, either of an illness after a night of drinking, or poison.

After his death, Alexander’s empire is divided between his four main generals – one Kingdom in Greece, one in Turkey, one in Egypt, and one in Persia. They fight among themselves for 40 years

Alexander’s Legacy One of the world’s greatest generals – defeated 15 empires and undefeated in 20+ battles – to form the largest empire in the world. Spread Hellenistic (Greek) culture across Asia and into Africa. Greek architecture, language, sculpture, and philosophy flourished from Egypt to India. Started multiple cities, including Alexandria, Egypt (home of the Great Library and Lighthouse) Was a hero and inspiration to the Romans

Great Library of Alexandria Greatest library of the ancient world A collection of books, scrolls, etc, of all the learning the Greeks could find May have contained up to 700,000 books Built around 260 BC Destroyed by war between 275-300 AD

The Seven Wonders of the (Ancient) World Greek list of the greatest structures in their world Only one – the Great Pyramid – still survives 5 of the 7 Wonders were built by Greeks themselves

1. Great Pyramid of Giza Egyptian – a tomb for the pharaoh Built in the 2500s BC

2. Hanging Gardens of Babylon Babylonian – a garden Built about 600 BC Destroyed before 100 AD

3. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus Greek religious temple Built about 550 BC Destroyed around 300 AD

4. Statue/Temple of Zeus at Olympia Greek religious temple Built about 435 BC Destroyed around 500 AD

5. Mausoleum of Halicarnassus Greek – a tomb for a local king Built about 350 BC Destroyed around 1400 AD

6. Colossus of Rhodes Greek – a victory statue Built about 280 BC Destroyed around 226 BC

7.Great Lighthouse at Alexandria Between 300-500 feet tall Built of solid limestone with a fire at the top Constructed to guide ships past Pharos Island into Alexandria Harbor Built in 280 BC Destroyed by earthquake, 1303 AD