1. BELLWORK: Copy This Template Into Your Notebook Title: Alexander’s Empire

2. Brief History of Alexander the Great
Alexander’s Empire
Brief History of Alexander the Great

3. Setting the Stage Peloponnesian War weakened many Greek city-states
Rapid decline in Greek military and economic power
King Philip II (Alexander’s Dad) of Macedonia took note – he could exploit Greece’s weakness and expand his empire

4. IN BOX 1 WRITE:
Peloponnesian War left Greece weak and open for attack

5. King Philip Builds a Macedonian Power
Philip’s Army
Took the throne at 23
Transformed disorganized peasants into a well-trained army
Used phalanx formation (16 wide, 16 deep, each carrying an 18 foot pike)

6. Philip’s Conquests of Greece
When Philip invaded, the Greek city-states couldn’t organize and work together, when they finally did, it was too late
Macedonians defeated the Greeks
Allowed many Greek city-states to keep their own local government, but Greece itself was no longer independent – it was controlled by the Macedonian Empire
Philip had plans to move on to conquer Persia, but his life was cut short, he was stabbed at his daughter’s wedding
Philip’s son, Alexander, immediately took control of the empire

7. IN BOX 2 WRITE:
King Philip II of Macedonia invaded and took over Greece

8. Alexander the Great Came to power when he was 20 Highly educated
Extensive military training
Ruthless and because of this, he faced very little opposition
Didn’t lose a battle for 11 years

9. IN BOX 3 WRITE:
Philip’s son, Alexander took power and wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps

10. Alexander’s Invasion of Persia
Greece had been secured under the Macedonian Empire, now it was time to fulfill his father’s dream, to invade Persia
Alexander was successful, took over Persia and its King, Darius III
Darius was furious and raised a huge army to take Alexander down, he failed

11. Conquering the Persian Empire
Darius III was intimidated and tried to negotiate with Alexander
Alexander refused and made it known that his intentions were to take over Persia
Alexander was welcomed when he invaded Egypt and was crowned Pharaoh
Darius III launched one more last ditch effort to defeat the Macedonians and was unsuccessful – Persian Empire collapsed
Alexander and his army occupied Persian cities and took all of their treasures
Persepolis, the capital of the Persian Empire, burned to the ground
Revenge for Athens? -or- Signal that the Persian Empire was gone for good?

12. IN BOX 4 WRITE:
Skilled military leader, invaded and took over Persia and beyond

13. Alexander’s Other Conquests
After Persia, Alexander still wanted more
Alexander invaded India
Marched into India and met heavy resistance
After conquering for 11 years, Alexander and his troops were tired and retreated
Alexander returned to focus on his current empire

14. Alexander’s Legacy Alexander died, only 33, debate as to how he died
Natural causes – malaria or typhoid fever likely
Poisoned
Following his death, three different Macedonian kings ruled the empire
Alexander adopted many Persian dress and customs and even married a Persian woman, he included foreign people in his army and many people in his empire adopted these cultures as well
A vibrant new culture emerged, the blend of Eastern cultures with Greek culture – Hellenistic Culture

15. IN BOX 5 WRITE:
Legacy: largest empire of its time, Hellenistic Culture – blending of East and Western cultures