Alexander the Great

Outline Introduction Introduction Part I. His life Part I. His life a. His family a. His family b. Accession to the throne b. Accession to the throne Part II. His conquests Part II. His conquests a. His empire a. His empire b. Administration of the empire b. Administration of the empire Conclusion Conclusion References References

Introduction Alexander one of the greatest military geniuses Alexander one of the greatest military geniuses He ascended to the Macedonian throne and reestablished his position in Greece He ascended to the Macedonian throne and reestablished his position in Greece Campaign against the Persians Campaign against the Persians Greeted as a deliverer in Egypt, he founded the city of Alexandria and became pharaoh Greeted as a deliverer in Egypt, he founded the city of Alexandria and became pharaoh As a statesman and ruler he had grandiose plans but the order was largely nullified by his death As a statesman and ruler he had grandiose plans but the order was largely nullified by his death

Part I. His life Alexander the Great ( BC)

a. His family Alexander, born in Pella, the ancient capital of Macedonia Alexander, born in Pella, the ancient capital of Macedonia Son of Philip II, king of Macedonia, and of Olympias, a princess of Epirus Son of Philip II, king of Macedonia, and of Olympias, a princess of Epirus Aristotle was Alexander's tutor; training in rhetoric and literature and stimulated his interest in science, medicine, and philosophy Aristotle was Alexander's tutor; training in rhetoric and literature and stimulated his interest in science, medicine, and philosophy Alexander read and learned the Iliad, taking Achilles as his role model Alexander read and learned the Iliad, taking Achilles as his role model Died at the age of 33, without designating a successor Died at the age of 33, without designating a successor His best friend Hephaestion died eight months before him; Alexander's horse, Bucephalus His best friend Hephaestion died eight months before him; Alexander's horse, Bucephalus

b. Accession to the throne In 336 BC, King Philip was assassinated In 336 BC, King Philip was assassinated Alexander ascended to the Macedonian throne Alexander ascended to the Macedonian throne Surrounded by enemies at home and threatened by rebellion abroad Surrounded by enemies at home and threatened by rebellion abroad Execution of his enemies, restored Macedonian rule in Thessalia Execution of his enemies, restored Macedonian rule in Thessalia Reestablished his position in Greece and was elected by a congress of states at Corinth Reestablished his position in Greece and was elected by a congress of states at Corinth

Part II. His conquests Alexander's Empire at its height

a. His empire In 335 BC, Alexander campaigned toward the Danube, to secure Macedonia's northern frontier In 335 BC, Alexander campaigned toward the Danube, to secure Macedonia's northern frontier In the fall of 335 BC, Alexander marched up to Thebes In the fall of 335 BC, Alexander marched up to Thebes He took the city by storm and razed it He took the city by storm and razed it Alexander's promptness in crushing the revolt of Thebes brought the other Greek states into submission Alexander's promptness in crushing the revolt of Thebes brought the other Greek states into submission Alexander began his war against Persia in the spring of 334 BC by crossing the Hellespont with an army of 35,000 Macedonian and Greek troops Alexander began his war against Persia in the spring of 334 BC by crossing the Hellespont with an army of 35,000 Macedonian and Greek troops After the battle all the states of Asia Minor submitted to him After the battle all the states of Asia Minor submitted to him King Darius III of Persia fled, abandoning his mother, wife, and children King Darius III of Persia fled, abandoning his mother, wife, and children

b. Administration of the empire In 332 he city of Alexandria, Egypt, which later became the literary, scientific, and commercial center of the Greek world In 332 he city of Alexandria, Egypt, which later became the literary, scientific, and commercial center of the Greek world In 331, Alexander made a pilgrimage to the great temple and oracle of Amon-Ra In 331, Alexander made a pilgrimage to the great temple and oracle of Amon-Ra He governed as a pharaoh, not just like a Greek leader He governed as a pharaoh, not just like a Greek leader Considered to be the richest man in history Considered to be the richest man in history His domain, from Europe to India, from Greece to Egypt His domain, from Europe to India, from Greece to Egypt When he died in 323 BC, the throne of Egypt fell to Ptolemy I, a veteran soldier and trusted commander When he died in 323 BC, the throne of Egypt fell to Ptolemy I, a veteran soldier and trusted commander He started the Ptolemaic Dynasty, which lasted 300 years He started the Ptolemaic Dynasty, which lasted 300 years Brave and generous, Alexander could be cruel and ruthless when politics demanded Brave and generous, Alexander could be cruel and ruthless when politics demanded

Conclusion Alexander founded a number of cities, most of them named Alexandria, well located, well paved, and provided with good water supplies Alexander founded a number of cities, most of them named Alexandria, well located, well paved, and provided with good water supplies Young men, traders, merchants, and scholars were attracted to them; Greek culture was introduced Young men, traders, merchants, and scholars were attracted to them; Greek culture was introduced Alexander vastly extended the influence of Greek civilization and prepared the way for the kingdoms of the Hellenistic period and the conquests of the Roman Empire Alexander vastly extended the influence of Greek civilization and prepared the way for the kingdoms of the Hellenistic period and the conquests of the Roman Empire

References