Alexander The Great

1. Alexander The Great Tommy & Chris

2. The Beginning of Alexander the Great • Alexander the Great also known as Alexander III of Macedon was born on July 20, 356 BCE. Alexander was born in Pella, Macedon • He is the son of the king Phillip II of Macedon, and the father of Alexander IV of Macedon. • In Alexander’s childhood he was raised by a nurse called Lanike. He was also tutored by Leonidas, a relative of his mother Olympias, at a young age. • When Alexander was ten years old his father was buying horse, but it couldn’t tamed. So he ordered the horse to be returned immediately. Alexander went over to the horse and noticed it was afraid of its own shadow. So he asked his father if he could have a chance on trying to tame the horse. Eventually Alexander tamed the horse and his father was so proud of him he kept the horse for Alexander, and later said “My boy, you must find a kingdom big enough for your ambitions. Macedon is too small for you.” According to “Life of Alexander” written by Plutarch

3. Plutarch • Plutarch also known Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus was born in 46 AD in Chaeronea, Boetia • Plutarch occupation was being biographer, essayist, and priest. • Plutarch was an official Roman citizen. • Plutarch had many great works such as: Life of Theseus, Life of Romulus, Themistocles, Camillus, Life of Julius Caesar, and the Life of Alexander. • These works are biographies. • Plutarch died in 120 AD in Delphi, Phocis.

4. Alexander’s Youth • When Alexander reached the age of thirteen his father wanted a new tutor. • Plato’s successor Aristotle was offered the job by King Philip II, and accepted. • Aristotle and Alexander used the Temple of the Nymphs at Mieza as a study hall. • In return for tutoring Alexander, Philip rebuilt Aristotle’s hometown Stageira. • Aristotle taught Alexander medicine, religion, logic, morals, and art.

5. Battle of Chaeronea • Battle of Chaeronea was fought in 336 BC near Chaeronea, Boeotia. • The Macedonians (Alexander) were fighting the Athenians and the people of Thebes, as an opposing force. • Philip II and Alexander led this battle together while Philip took the right side Alexander took the left. • It is known to be Philip II greatest victory.

6. Battle of Asia Minor • The Battle of Asia Minor was fought in 334 BC. • Alexander and 42,000 soldiers marched down to many Greek city states. • The Macedonians took over Thrace, Paionia, Illryia, and eventually the Persian capital surrendered. • Alexander traveled south to try control the whole Ionian coast line. • Alexander was successful

7. Alexander’s Conquests

8. Battle of Syria • The Battle of Syria was in 333 BC in Turkey. • Alexander’s army passed the Cilician Gates, and met the main Persian led by Darius III. • Darius was forced to flee the battle because his army broke, leaving his wife, children, mother, and treasure. • Darius after the battle offered a peace treaty asking for some of land that he has conquered in the past.

9. Battle of Egypt • The Battle of Egypt was in 332 BC in Gaza • After three unsuccessful assaults Gaza was finally taken by force. • But Alexander received a shoulder wound in this battle. • After Gaza was taken all men were killed, and women and children were sold into slavery. • He on to his main objective Egypt took over that too. • He was given a city named after himself called Alexandria by the Egyptians

10. Battle of Babylonia & Assyria • The Battle of Babylonia and Assyria was in 331 BC in Mesopotamia. • Alexander in this battle took over Assyria first in which he defeated Darius III once more. • Darius fled the field again, but this time Alexander chased him all the way to Arbela. • Instead of keeping the chase on, Alexander and his soldiers marched down to Babylon • Babylon was captured

11. Battle of the Persian Gates • The Battle of the Persian Gates was in 330 BC near Persepolis. • The Persians blocked Alexander and his soldiers from getting to Persepolis but failed. • In the last push from the Persians before being conquered, fought for 30 days, but eventually was conquered

12. Invasion of India • The Invasion of India lasted from 327 BC – 325 BC in India. • This is Alexander last time leading his troops into battle. • Alexander started north and moved his way south. • Invasion of India was successful, and Alexander conquered nearly all of India’s subcontinent in the north and west of India.

13. Death of Alexander the Great • Alexander died on either the 10 or 11 of June 323 BC. • The cause is unknown but some predictions have been made, poison • Alexander died in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar II, in Babylon. • Alexander died at the age of 32 years old. • Alexander was buried in a gold casket

14. Kingdom of Macedon After Alexander • After the death of Alexander the Great some people did try to fill place. But they were unsuccessful. • So the Kingdom of Macedon slowly fell apart being conquered slowly. • The time of Alexander was over and the time of the Romans began.

15. Importance of Alexander’s Conquests • Creation of Greek Cultural Centres throughout the known world (70 cities founded) • Spread of Greek coinage • Greek Language becomes the international language of trade & commerce • Greek and Eastern cultures mix (Hellenism) • After his death; Empire divided in to 3 parts • Macedonia (Greece), Egypt, Asia

16. Credits • Livius.org • Historyofmacedonia.org