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Alexander the Great

Lesson #9

What we have learned…• Greece’s geography affected the development of it’s people’s society.• Ancient cultures of Minoans and Mycenaeans formed Greek society.• A city-state or polis is the center of ancient Greek life.• Athens is credited with creating democracy.• Democracy is a government system where the people rule

themselves.• There is a difference between direct and representative democracy.• Greece and Persia fought a series of wars.• Greece is successful in keeping Persia from taking them over.• Sparta was a powerful city-state that was obsessed with physical

strength.• Athens was a powerful city-state that emphasized knowledge and

learning.• Sparta and Athens would fight each other in the Peloponnesian Wars.• Sparta would win in the end• Years of fighting made the Greeks weak and open to attack from

outside!

Philip IIIn the 300s BC, Philip II of Macedonia defeated the Greeks.

He took advantage of the way they had weakened themselves by fighting each other.

He was a brilliant military leader.

After beating the Greeks, he planned to defeat Persia.

Philip would be murdered at his own daughter’s wedding in 336 BC.

Philip’s Army

Philip used the phalanx to defeat his enemies. He also added archers and cavalry to support

the phalanx.

The Phalanx

Alexander Becomes Kingo He is only 20 when he

takes command.

o The Greek city-state of Thebes rebelled

thinking he was too young to rule.

o Alexander immediately crushes the rebellion, proving his leadership and making Thebes an

example for other Greek city-states!

Alexander’s Empire

Alexander takes over Asia Minor, Egypt and the Persian Empire. He becomes the greatest conqueror the world ever saw before he was 33!

Alexander’s Legacy• Alexander was taught by a Greek teacher at a young age.

• He grew up admiring Greek culture.• Wherever Alexander went, he brought Greek culture with him.

• He could have gone further but his troops refused to go further once they made it to INDIA!

• To show his control and power, he built many cities throughout his empire and named them after himself.

• Alexander dies on his way home after becoming ill.

• A new culture would be created throughout his empire that was a mix of Greek, Persian, Egyptian and Syrian.

• It is known as HELLENISTIC, or Greek-like because it wasn’t 100% Greek but was heavily influenced by Greek culture.

The End of his Empire• Alexander had no sons to inherit his empire.

• It was divided into three kingdoms to be ruled by his three top generals.

• These three kingdoms were Egypt, Macedonia and Syria and would be known as the Hellenistic Kingdoms.

All of the Hellenistic KingdomsWould Eventually BeTaken Over by a New

Empire….

ROME