Alexander the Alexander the GreatGreat

Persians and GreeksPersians and Greeks

Strained relationship for past Strained relationship for past hundred years.hundred years.

Greeks and Macedonians hate Greeks and Macedonians hate Persians for fear of conquest.Persians for fear of conquest.

Culminated in Persian War.Culminated in Persian War.

Memories of war drive hatredMemories of war drive hatred..

Phillip II of MacedonPhillip II of Macedon

Three goals Three goals

1. Build a strong army 1. Build a strong army

2. Unify Greek City States2. Unify Greek City States

3. Defeat Persia3. Defeat Persia

Phillip II: OutcomesPhillip II: OutcomesPhillip is successful at building a Phillip is successful at building a strong army.strong army.

Phillip is successful at unifying Phillip is successful at unifying Greece.Greece.

Just when he is getting ready to Just when he is getting ready to invade Persia, he is murdered.invade Persia, he is murdered.

Wife OlympiasWife Olympias

Persian AssassinPersian Assassin

Alexander the Perfect BlendAlexander the Perfect Blend

Appealed to Appealed to SoldiersSoldiers Served in Served in

fathers army fathers army Great leaderGreat leader CharismaticCharismatic BraveBrave Proven WinnerProven Winner

Appealed to Appealed to AristocracyAristocracy Well Educated Well Educated

(Aristotle)(Aristotle) Good Good

BloodlinesBloodlines Brilliant OratorBrilliant Orator

Education of AlexanderEducation of Alexander

SocratesSocratesPlatoPlato

AristotleAristotleAlexanderAlexander

Phillip bought the best education money Phillip bought the best education money could buy.could buy.

Instilled Alexander with the wisdom of Instilled Alexander with the wisdom of Athens, later he will use knowledge to aid Athens, later he will use knowledge to aid in conquering others.in conquering others.

Alexander Becomes KingAlexander Becomes King

Following death of Phillip and with the Following death of Phillip and with the help of his mother he becomes King help of his mother he becomes King of Macedon.of Macedon.

Wants to fulfill fathers legacy and Wants to fulfill fathers legacy and conquer Persians.conquer Persians.

Leads Army into Asia Minor in 334Leads Army into Asia Minor in 334

Conquests & BattlesConquests & Battles

334 Battle of Granicus (Asia Minor)334 Battle of Granicus (Asia Minor)

333 Battle of Issus (Syria)333 Battle of Issus (Syria)

Tyre, Gordium (Gordian Knot)Tyre, Gordium (Gordian Knot)

Egypt: Egypt: Establishes AlexandriaEstablishes Alexandria

Declared PharaohDeclared Pharaoh

Conquest Cont.Conquest Cont.

331 Battle of Gaugamela 331 Battle of Gaugamela

Defeats Darius’ army, Darius escapes Defeats Darius’ army, Darius escapes but is later killed by one of his own but is later killed by one of his own generals.generals.

Alexander Declares himself king of Alexander Declares himself king of Persian Empire and declares Babylon Persian Empire and declares Babylon the Capital of his new empire.the Capital of his new empire.

To Indus and Beyond…..To Indus and Beyond…..

Conquered the River Valleys?Conquered the River Valleys?

Egypt and Nile in 332Egypt and Nile in 332

Tigris/Euphrates in 331Tigris/Euphrates in 331

Indus in 326Indus in 326Troops tire of war and want to head back Troops tire of war and want to head back home before China and the Yellow river home before China and the Yellow river are Alexander’s next conquest. He are Alexander’s next conquest. He reluctantly heads back towards home.reluctantly heads back towards home.

Death, Dying, and DivideDeath, Dying, and Divide

Alexander moves his troops across Alexander moves his troops across 3000 miles back towards Babylon…3000 miles back towards Babylon…

When they reach the city a banquet is When they reach the city a banquet is thrown in his honor.thrown in his honor.

He grows ill that evening and is dead He grows ill that evening and is dead by morning at the age of 32.by morning at the age of 32.

With no sons his empire will be divided With no sons his empire will be divided amongst his top generals.amongst his top generals.

A Divided EmpireA Divided Empire

Without Alexander the strong empire Without Alexander the strong empire falls apart, literally.falls apart, literally.

Ptolemy ….. Egypt Ptolemy ….. Egypt

Selcus ….. Modern Middle East Selcus ….. Modern Middle East

Antigonus ….. Greece and Asia MinorAntigonus ….. Greece and Asia Minor