Alexander enters AsiaAim: to understand and assess the beginning of

Alexander’s Campaign in Asia.

Starter:Can you list 3 reasons why Alexander wanted to conquer Persia?

Beginning the Campaign

• In 336 B.C. Alexander marches his army from Pella toward the Hellespont.

• He follows the same route Xerxes took to invade Greece in 480 B.C. Why do you think he

took this route?

A campaign steeped in tradition

• Read Arrian 11.1 and answer the following questions: (FULL SENTENCES!!!)

• 1) Who does he leave in charge of Macedonia?

• 2) What does he do when he reaches Elaeus?

• 3) Why does he do this?

Reliving the past• In the earliest stages of the

campaign it is clear Alexander is mimicking the Iliad (Homer’s tale of the Greek destruction of Troy)

• Agamemnon was the Greek king who campaigned against Troy.

• Alexander wants his campaign to be just as heroic!

When in Asia• Arrian 11.2• 1) Who is appointed to organise the crossing?

• 2) How does Alexander ‘take control’?

• 3) Why do you think he does this?

• 4) What happens when they land?

• 5) What does this tell us about Alexander?

• 6) Where does he go first?

• 7) What does he do there?

Wow, he’s heroic!• Before he even fights the

Persians Alexander seems very confident in himself.

• He’s already setting himself up to be the ancient Greek Action Hero.

• What doubt can we have about all this? (AO3)

AO3- Man-crush alert!

• Read Arrian 12• Why did Alexander think Achilles was happy?• What does this suggest about attitudes to fame

and glory?• Why does Arrian say he is writing about

Alexander?• How might this tarnish Arrian as a reliable

Historian?

Plenary

• What does the start of the campaign tell us about Alexander?

• His character?• His confidence?• Alexander the History nerd?