1. Aim: Alexander’s Plan to Unite Empire

2. Alexander Goals Alexander’s Goals: Spread Greek culture
Wanted all people to accept him as their ruler
Spread Greek culture
Bring all cultures under single government 2

3. 1) Spread Culture and Ideas
Alexander admired Greek culture
Spread culture by building Greek-style cities
Had marketplaces, temples, & theaters
Greek laws, art, and literature
Wanted soldiers and government officials to speak only Greek
Alexandria
Most famous new city
Had marketplace, university, & gymnasium
City boasted law courts & library 3

4. 2) Use Religion to Inspire Loyalty
Honored Egyptian and Persian gods
Treated them as equal to Greek gods
Helped Alexander gain loyalty of Egyptians
Encouraged idea that Alexander was a god
Began wearing sacred headdress of Ammon (Egyptian god)
He later required all Greeks to accept him as the son of Zeus 4

5. 3) Show Respect for Other Cultures
Borrowed customs from other cultures
Adopted the Persian system of government
Demanded that visitors greet him in Persian style
Visitor kneel in front of throne and bend over until his head touched the ground
Encouraged marriage between Macedonians and Persians 5

6. Alexander’s Empire Falls
323 BCE- Alexander catches swamp fever and dies at 32
Never acknowledged a successor
Generals fought each other for control of empire
Empire fell into ruins and became divided into 3 separate kingdoms 6