1. Chapter 5 Section 3
Alexander the Great

2. Section Overview
This section discusses Alexander the Great, his wide-reaching empire, and how his conquest spread Hellenism throughout southwest Asia.
Main Idea
• How did Philip II of Macedonia unite the Greek states?
• How did Alexander the Great change history?

3. Places To Locate Macedonia: kingdom to the north of Greece
Chaeronea: place near Thebes, location of the Greeks’ loss in battle to the Macedonians
Syria: land in Asia Minor captured by Alexander
Alexandria: great city in Egypt built by Alexander

4. People To Meet Philip II: king of Macedonia who defeated the Greeks
Terms To Know
legacy: what a person leaves behind after death
Hellenistic Era: period when Greek ideas spread to the peoples of southwest Asia

5. Macedonia Attacks Greece
Alexander the Great
Macedonia Attacks Greece
Macedonia was a powerful kingdom that lay north of Greece.
Philip II needed to unite Greece with Macedonia to defeat the Persian Empire.
After training a vast army, Philip II began taking over the Greek city-states.

6. Macedonia Attacks Greece (cont.)
Alexander the Great
Macedonia Attacks Greece (cont.)
A lawyer named Demosthenes tried to warn the Greeks about Philip II, but it was too late.
The Macedonians defeated the Greeks at the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 B.C..
After this battle, Philip II controlled all of Greece.

7. Alexander the Great
What led to the Greeks’ 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.

8. Alexander Builds an Empire
Alexander the Great
Alexander Builds an Empire
Alexander the Great became king of Macedonia after his father, Philip II, died in 336 B.C.
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.

9. Alexander Builds an Empire (cont.)
Alexander the Great
Alexander Builds an Empire (cont.)
He then captured Syria and Egypt.
Alexander built the city of Alexandria as the center of business.
It became one of the most important cities in the ancient world.
Alexander continued his conquest of the Persian Empire by fighting in modern day Pakistan, India, and Iran.

11. Alexander Builds an Empire (cont.)
Alexander the Great
Alexander Builds an Empire (cont.)
In 323 B.C., Alexander planned to invade southern Arabia, but he became ill and died.
A legacy is what a person leaves behind when he or she dies.
Alexander’s legacy is his skill and daring.
Alexander’s conquests marked the beginning of the Hellenistic Era ( B.C.)
(pages 176–179)

12. Alexander Builds an Empire (cont.)
Alexander the Great
Alexander Builds an Empire (cont.)
The Lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. A fire in its tall tower guided ships into harbor.
(pages 176–179)

13. Alexander Builds an Empire (cont.)
Alexander the Great
Alexander Builds an Empire (cont.)
This was a time when Greek language and ideas spread to non Greek areas of southwest Asia.
After Alexander’s death, his top 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.
(pages 176–179)

15. Alexander Builds an Empire (cont.)
Alexander the Great
Alexander Builds an Empire (cont.)
People who did not speak Greek could not hold government jobs.
This helped the Greeks maintain control.
New cities were created in the Hellenistic Era, and these cities needed architects, engineers, and philosophers.
The rulers of the four kingdoms sent Greek colonists to southwest Asia to help build the cities. In this way, Greek culture spread.
(pages 176–179)

16. Alexander the Great
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.

17. Alexander the Great
How did Philip II of Macedonia feel about the Greeks?
He admired everything about the Greeks, including their art, ideas, and military.

18. Alexander the Great What ended Alexander’s conquest of India?
His troops grew tired of fighting and refused to go farther.

19. Alexander the Great Analyze: Why was Alexander a good leader?
His bravery inspired his troops.