Alexander vs. Darius Aim: to understand and assess the battle of Issus. Starter: Content quiz on next slide!

1)Who was Alexander’s father? 2)Who was Alexander’s mother? 3)Which God was alleged to have conceived Alexander? 4)Where was Alexander born? 5)What was Alexander’s horse called? 6)What were the 2 main components of the Macedonian Army? 7)What was Alexander’s official title? (H…) 8)Who was Alexander’s most experienced General? 9)Which mythical figure did Alexander want to emulate? (A…) 11) Who murdered Alexander’s father? 12) Where did Alexander cross into Persia? 13) Why here? 14) Where did he stop first? 15) Where did the Macedonians fight the Persians? 16) Who led the attack? 17) Who saved Alexander’s life during the battle? 18) What was Alexander’s task (according to the League) 19) How did Alexander solve the problem of the Gordian Knot? 20) What was this supposed to mean?

1)Philip II 2)Olympias 3)Zeus 4)Pella 5)Bucephalas (must be spelled correctly!) 6)Phalanx/ Foot companions & Companion Cavalry 7)Hegemon of Greece 8)Parmenio 9)Achilles 11) Pausanius 12) The Hellespont 13) Avoid powerful Persian Navy/ Xerxes route 14) Troy 15) The river Granicus 16) Alexander (of course) 17) Cleitus (the Black) 18) Free Greek city states along the coast. 19) With a sword! 20) That he would become ‘King of all Asia’

Alexander marches inland After his successes in freeing Greek cities, Alexander continues inland. Darius, after hearing of the defeat at the river Granicus decides to do something about this ‘upstart’

Stopping the invaders Darius gathers a vast army (600,000- Arrian, 400,000- Diodorus, 250,000- Curtius)*. Alexander had approx 40,000 They march to the coast and BEHIND Alexander’s advancing army (fig a) This forces Alexander to turn and fight the Persians (across another river!) Why are there different figured for the Persian Army? (AO3)

The Battle of Issus Watch the short video (up to 3.44) Mark on Fig B & C on your sheets the events of the battle. Ext: consider how Alexander is portrayed in the battle.

Hang on a minute… Doesn’t the battle of Issus seem a little familiar? Draw a chart like so… Add on key comparison points. GranicusIssus

GranicusIssus

AO3 Time Make a list (briefly explained) why you think these battles are so similar. How could you use these points in an exam question? (n.b. there is no source extract for the battle of Issus)

Review Briefly summarise the battle of Issus according to the 3 AO3’s: AO1 (facts) AO2 (importance) AO3 (interpretation)

Alexander becomes Great You can argue that it is at the battle of Issus the Alexander becomes ‘Great’. Can you give 2-3 reasons why? 1)_________________ 2)_________________ 3)_________________

Views from the Ancient world It’s not just writer’s that seem to idolise Alexander here. 2 important visual sources also glorify Alexander at Issus.

Task: Study the 2 visual sources. Complete the tables below them (you may need more rooms) A/A*- Link your findings to Arrian!

Plenary Why do you think the battle of Issus was so important to creating the Alexander myth? The defeat of the Persian King? Alexander’s Generalship? Alexander’s heroic character?