IV. Alexander: Why So Great?

A. Philip of Macedonia Macedonia – Empire locate just to the north of Greece They considered themselves to be Greek but Greeks considered them to be uncivilized Philip of Macedonia – Brilliant general and politician

Macedonian Phalanxes

Was able to lead the Macedonians to victories over the Greeks Wanted to defeat the Persian Empire Was assassinated at his daughters wedding

B. Alexander Takes Control Aristotle’s student Military genius who created one of the largest empires in world history Proclaims himself king following the death of his father – Only 20 Within ten years he was able to conquer the Persian Empire

The following three years Alexander creates an empire that stretches from Greece to India 323 BC – Alexander falls ill and dies at the age of 32 His large empire crumbles within a week after his death

Alexander and All His Greatness

C. Alexander’s Legacy The size of Alexander’s Empire is not what was important Didn’t last after his death Greeks established cities in new lands and spread both their culture and adopted the culture of others

D. Hellenistic Exchange Hellenistic – “Greek like” Hellenistic Exchange – The spread of Greek ideas and culture to other places –Blending of Greek, Egyptian, Persian, and Indian cultures –Exchange of material goods like lemons, onions, and sugar –Greeks adopted new types of mystery religions from the Egyptians

Greeks liked these new religions because it offered immortality in an afterlife Greek religions had no afterlife Alexander also liked that Egyptians worshiped their rulers like gods

E. Science & Technology Ptolemy – Most famous scientist and geographer of the Ancient Greeks “Bill Buckner of the Ancient Greeks” Question: Who is Bill Buckner and how could he be compared to some guy who lived almost 2000 years ago?

Ptolemy vs. Buckner

Both are known for their major mistakes instead of their major accomplishments

F. Ptolemy’s Major Accomplishments 1) Claimed that the world was round and not flat 2) Estimated the size of the earth to be 24,662 miles – Actual size of the earth is 24,860 miles

G. Ptolemy’s Major Mistake Claimed that the earth was the center of the universe Geographers accepted his belief for the next 1400 years – oopsoops

Ptolemy’s Universe

Einstein’s World