5 Alexander the Great

8/9/2019 5 Alexander the Great

1/29

Alexander the

Great356-323 B.C.E.

Alexander the

Great356-323 B.C.E.


2/29

Franois De PolignagFranois De Polignag

From the MediterraneanFrom the Mediterranean

to Universalityto Universality


3/29

AbstractAbstract

This article is about the myth ofThis article is about the myth of

Alexander the Great.Alexander the Great.

He was an imHe was an impportant figure in theortant figure in the

Mediterranean history.Mediterranean history.

He built his own image not as hero of aHe built his own image not as hero of a

conquering civilization, but as anconquering civilization, but as an

universal figure mediating betweenuniversal figure mediating betweendifferent peoples.different peoples.


4/29

Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great

Abstract / SummaryAbstract / Summary Alexander the Great formed a huge empire.Alexander the Great formed a huge empire.

Spread Greek culture into Egypt and many parts of Asia.Spread Greek culture into Egypt and many parts of Asia.

OOpenedpened the way for a new civilization to develop in those areas.the way for a new civilization to develop in those areas.

Alexander the Great is arguablyAlexander the Great is arguably one ofone ofthe greatest military leaderthe greatest military leaderssin history.in history.

There is nothing impossible to him who will try. (quote fromThere is nothing impossible to him who will try. (quote from

Alexander the Great)Alexander the Great)

Today weToday we will talkwill talk about the legendary life of Alexander the Great.about the legendary life of Alexander the Great.


5/29

BoyhoodBoyhood

He was bHe was born on July 26, 356orn on July 26, 356B.C. in Pella, Macedonia.B.C. in Pella, Macedonia.

Alexander was the son of KingAlexander was the son of KingPhilip II of MacedonPhilip II of Macedoniaia..

Philip II was a great militaryPhilip II was a great militaryleader and organizerleader and organizer..

HeHe brought most of thebrought most of thecity-statescity-states of mainlandof mainlandGreece underGreece under MacedonianMacedonianhegemonyhegemony, using both, using bothmilitary and diplomaticmilitary and diplomaticmeans.means.

Alexander inherited the bestAlexander inherited the bestqualities fromqualities from his father andhis father andfamily.family.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Macedonianshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Macedonianshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hegemonyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hegemonyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hegemonyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Macedonianshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polis


6/29

BoyhoodBoyhood

Alexander wasAlexander wasmore ambitiousmore ambitiousthan his fatherthan his father..

Alexander's motherAlexander's mother

taught him that histaught him that hisfather wasfather wasdescended fromdescended fromHercules.Hercules.

Alexander was toldAlexander was toldby an oracle thatby an oracle thathis true father washis true father wasZeusZeus,, not Philip II.not Philip II.


7/29

BoyhoodBoyhood

As a Boy Alexander wasAs a Boy Alexander wasfearless and strong.fearless and strong.

He disciplined aHe disciplined abeautiful and spiritedbeautiful and spirited

horse that no one wouldhorse that no one wouldtouch or ride and namedtouch or ride and namedit Bucephalus.it Bucephalus.

This horse later carrThis horse later carriediedhim to the far reaches ofhim to the far reaches ofIndia.India.

Philip was so proud ofPhilip was so proud ofAlexander's power overAlexander's power overthe horsethe horse..


8/29

YouthYouth

When Alexander was 13 years old,When Alexander was 13 years old,he became the pupil of Aristotle.he became the pupil of Aristotle.

Aristotle is considered one of theAristotle is considered one of thegreatest minds in history.greatest minds in history.

Alexander was eager to learn.Alexander was eager to learn. Aristotle inspired in Alexander theAristotle inspired in Alexander the

love for literature, sciences,love for literature, sciences,

rhetoric, philosophy, and sports.rhetoric, philosophy, and sports. Alexander was always interestedAlexander was always interested

in foreign policy andin foreign policy and hehe met withmet withambassadors from differentambassadors from differentcountries that came to his fatherscountries that came to his fatherscourt.court.


9/29

AristotleAristotle teachingteaching

Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great..
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Aristotlehttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Aristotlehttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Alexander_the_Greathttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Alexander_the_Greathttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Alexander_the_Greathttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Aristotle


10/29

Rise to PowerRise to Power

When Alexander becameWhen Alexander becamesixteen years old, hissixteen years old, histutorship under Aristotletutorship under Aristotlecame to an end.came to an end.

Alexander was givenAlexander was given

command of Macedonia whilecommand of Macedonia whilePhilip II went to war againstPhilip II went to war againstByzantium.Byzantium.

When he was only 18, heWhen he was only 18, hecommanded part of Philip'scommanded part of Philip'scavalrycavalry in a battlein a battle..

Alexander also acted as hisAlexander also acted as hisfather's ambassador tofather's ambassador toAthens.Athens.

After his fathers death in 336After his fathers death in 336B.C., Alexander became kingB.C., Alexander became kingat the age of 20.at the age of 20.


11/29

As a KingAs a King

After Alexander became king, theAfter Alexander became king, thesurrounding territories revolted.surrounding territories revolted.

The city of Thebes in Greece wasThe city of Thebes in Greece wasthe first to start the revolt.the first to start the revolt.

Alexanders advisors viewed thatAlexanders advisors viewed thathe should give up the Greekhe should give up the Greekterritories and not take action.territories and not take action.

Alexander decided against thisAlexander decided against thisidea.idea.

Alexander and his army stormedAlexander and his army stormedthe city of Thebes and destroyedthe city of Thebes and destroyedevery building except the templesevery building except the templesand the house of the poet Pindar.and the house of the poet Pindar.

30,000 inhabitants were sold into30,000 inhabitants were sold intoslavery.slavery.

Seeing this, the rest of theSeeing this, the rest of theterritories yieldterritories yieldeded and Alexanderand Alexanderthen had control of Macedoniathen had control of Macedoniaand Greece.and Greece.


12/29

Conquests of AlexanderConquests of Alexander

Ionia and AnatoliaIonia and Anatolia 333333 Syria, Palestine, EgyptSyria, Palestine, Egypt 332332 MesopotamiaMesopotamia 331331 PersepolisPersepolis 331331 King of PersiaKing of Persia 330330 IndiaIndia 327327 Returns to SusaReturns to Susa 324324 Died (age 33)Died (age 33) 323323


13/29

ConquestsConquests


14/29

Alexanders MarchAlexanders March


15/29

Military TacticsMilitary Tactics

Alexander had a greatAlexander had a greatmilitary mind.military mind.

He was aHe was an expert atn expert atorganizing his units fororganizing his units for

complex battlecomplex battlemaneuvers.maneuvers.

He was hHe was hiding his trueiding his truenumbers andnumbers andmanaging his armymanaging his army

during the flow ofduring the flow ofbattle. That was thebattle. That was thekey.key.


16/29

The Death of AlexanderThe Death of Alexander

It was May of 323 BC and Alexander the Great was inIt was May of 323 BC and Alexander the Great was inBaghdad.Baghdad.

The thirty-two-year-old King of Macedonia had spent theThe thirty-two-year-old King of Macedonia had spent thepast thirteen years conquering much of the known world.past thirteen years conquering much of the known world.

In the process, he created an empire that reached fromIn the process, he created an empire that reached from

Macedonia through Greece and the Persian Empire to theMacedonia through Greece and the Persian Empire to thelandslands of India.of India.

He had plans to expand his holdings, but these dreamsHe had plans to expand his holdings, but these dreamswould never be realized.would never be realized.

On May 29, he attended a dinner given by a close friend.On May 29, he attended a dinner given by a close friend. Alexander joined in the heavy drinking during the day-longAlexander joined in the heavy drinking during the day-long

eventevent.. Complaining that he did not feel well, he went to bed.Complaining that he did not feel well, he went to bed. Alexander's health deteriorated his body. Finally, too weakAlexander's health deteriorated his body. Finally, too weak

to leave his bed, the conqueror of the world died ten daysto leave his bed, the conqueror of the world died ten daysafter he wasafter he was illill..


17/29

Big MysteryBig Mystery

The exact cause of Alexander'sThe exact cause of Alexander'sdeath is unknown.death is unknown.

Historians have debated the issueHistorians have debated the issue

for centuries, attributing it to poison,for centuries, attributing it to poison,malaria, typhoid fever or othermalaria, typhoid fever or othermaladies.maladies.

What is agreed upon is that theWhat is agreed upon is that theMacedonian king died in early JuneMacedonian king died in early June323 BC while suffering a high fever323 BC while suffering a high feverthat had lasted ten days.that had lasted ten days.


18/29


19/29

Division of EmpireDivision of Empire

After the death of Alexander the Great, hisAfter the death of Alexander the Great, hisgenerals, scrambling to gain power, broke out intogenerals, scrambling to gain power, broke out intocivil war against each other.civil war against each other.

All of Alexanders relatives were secretlyAll of Alexanders relatives were secretly

murdered.murdered. Battles raged across the empire until finally aroundBattles raged across the empire until finally around

305 B.C. four men emerged each gaining large305 B.C. four men emerged each gaining largeportions of the empire.portions of the empire.

The empire was split into four sections, SeleucusThe empire was split into four sections, Seleucus

ruling the territories of Babylon, Ptolemy ruling theruling the territories of Babylon, Ptolemy ruling theterritories of Egypt, Cassander ruling the territoriesterritories of Egypt, Cassander ruling the territoriesof Macedon, and Lysimachus ruling the territoriesof Macedon, and Lysimachus ruling the territoriesof Thrace.of Thrace.


20/29

LegacyLegacy

Not only is Alexander known for conquering practically theNot only is Alexander known for conquering practically theknown civilized world, he is also known for issuing in theknown civilized world, he is also known for issuing in theHellenistic age.Hellenistic age.

The Hellenistic age was the age of Greek influence and theThe Hellenistic age was the age of Greek influence and thespread of Greek culture across the world.spread of Greek culture across the world.

Alexander was known for issuing in this age because heAlexander was known for issuing in this age because hebrought together so many different civilizations.brought together so many different civilizations.

Everywhere he conquered, Alexander would build newEverywhere he conquered, Alexander would build newcities and establish schools, museums, and libraries withincities and establish schools, museums, and libraries withinthese cities.these cities.

In Alexandria, Egypt Alexander built a famous museumIn Alexandria, Egypt Alexander built a famous museumwhere the works of art and evidence of mans creativitywhere the works of art and evidence of mans creativitycould be studied and collected.could be studied and collected.

By doing such deeds as these, Greek culture was taught,By doing such deeds as these, Greek culture was taught,learned, and preserved for over a thousand years with thelearned, and preserved for over a thousand years with thehelp of Rome and Christianity.help of Rome and Christianity.


21/29

Library of AlexandriaLibrary of Alexandria


22/29

ConclusionConclusion

In conclusion, many historiansIn conclusion, many historiansbelieve that Alexander the Greatbelieve that Alexander the Greatwould have conquered the entirewould have conquered the entireworld had he lived to a normal oldworld had he lived to a normal oldage.age.

Alexander was able to achieveAlexander was able to achievewhat no other man dreamedwhat no other man dreamed

possible.possible. Not only he conquered almost theNot only he conquered almost theknown civilized world in 12 years,known civilized world in 12 years,but Alexander also brought aboutbut Alexander also brought abouta spread of Greek culture into thea spread of Greek culture into thevast reaches of the world.vast reaches of the world.

Alexander was destined for gloryAlexander was destined for gloryand he achieved it.and he achieved it.

And we end with a quote fromAnd we end with a quote fromAlexander the Great, "I wouldAlexander the Great, "I wouldrather live a short life of gloryrather live a short life of glorythan a long one of obscurity".orthan a long one of obscurity".or"Its better to burn out than fade"Its better to burn out than fadeaway.away.


23/29

Different TalesDifferent Tales

He conquHe conqueered all the geography around thered all the geography around the

Mediterranean Sea from North Africa to Andalusia.Mediterranean Sea from North Africa to Andalusia.

But there are different myths about him and hisBut there are different myths about him and his

conquests.conquests.

For example, some authors wrote that he built a bridgeFor example, some authors wrote that he built a bridgeon the Son the Sttrait of Gibraltrait of Gibraltaar in order to join the twor in order to join the two

continents and continue his conquest.continents and continue his conquest.

On the other hand, an Arab author Idrisi wrote thatOn the other hand, an Arab author Idrisi wrote that

opened up the Strait of Gibraltopened up the Strait of Gibraltaar to prevent the fightingr to prevent the fighting

between their people.between their people.


24/29

Different Tales from Different RegionsDifferent Tales from Different Regions

There were different claims such asThere were different claims such as;;

He voyaged to the dark regionsHe voyaged to the dark regions

He discovered the source of immortalityHe discovered the source of immortality

He lived in the depHe lived in the deptths of ocean in a glass bellhs of ocean in a glass bell He rose up into the atmosphere in a gondolaHe rose up into the atmosphere in a gondola


25/29


26/29

The Origin of the MythThe Origin of the Myth

It is more than a wild fabricationIt is more than a wild fabrication..

Generally, the original author of the mythGenerally, the original author of the myth

was Alexander himself.was Alexander himself.

He constructed his own legend through hisHe constructed his own legend through hispolitical design.political design.

He provided materials and instructions forHe provided materials and instructions for

rewriting the myth for later generations.rewriting the myth for later generations.

There is a fusion of the two myths, Greek andThere is a fusion of the two myths, Greek and

Egyptian.Egyptian.


27/29

CallisthenesCallisthenes

He brought a historian with him to record everything duringHe brought a historian with him to record everything during

his voyage.his voyage.

Who wasWho was Greek philosopherGreek philosopher CallisthenesCallisthenes??

But Callisthenes did not write about his divine power orBut Callisthenes did not write about his divine power or

about him as about him as TThe son of Zeus.he son of Zeus. As the king and army penetrated further into Asia,As the king and army penetrated further into Asia,

CallisthenesCallisthenes alsoalso began to sharply criticize Alexander'sbegan to sharply criticize Alexander's

conquests andconquests and adoption of oriental customsadoption of oriental customs..

He wasHe was thrown into prison, where he died from torture orthrown into prison, where he died from torture or

diseasedisease


28/29


29/29

Alexanders CoinAlexanders Coin

5 Alexander the Great

Documents

Transcript of 5 Alexander the Great