Alexander the Greatand

The Hellenistic Age

Early Life

• Alexander the Great was born in 356 BC

– As a young boy, he was tutored by the great philosopher Aristotle

– Alexander was very well educated. He was good at all subjects

Phillip II(Phillip the 2nd)

• His father was Philip II, King of Macedonia– Phillip II wanted to expand the

Macedonian kingdom and conquer Greece

• Alexander became king at 20 years old when Philip II was assassinated by his own bodyguard

Macedon

King Alexander

• When Alexander took the throne, he inherited a very strong army and continued his father’s mission to expand the kingdom

• Alexander was a brilliant commander and expanded the empire from Egypt and Greece all the way to the Indus Valley

Alexander’s Conquests

Alexander’s Kingdom

Commander In Chief

• Alexander is considered to be one of the greatest military commanders of all-time

• He was undefeated in battle– 10 major battles and over 100 smaller

ones

• Alexander’s army defeated King Darius and the Persians, which was the most powerful military at the time

Decline

• Eventually, his army got tired and many decided to return to Macedonia after conquering so much land

• At age 32, he got sick and died suddenly

Cultural Diffusion

• The conquests of Alexander the Great led to a significant amount of cultural diffusion– This means culture was spread (or diffused) over a

vast area– Ideas, languages, religions, technologies, and

much more moved from one place to another

Hellenistic Age

• Lasted from about 324 BC – 200 BC• Greek culture mixes with the cultures of the

Middle East, Northern Africa, and India• Greek language and ideas are spread

• Discovery Ed Video- Alexander the Great (9.3 page 11)