Chapter 6Section 3

Alexander the Great

Macedon

Rising kingdom north of Greece

Warlike people who lived in villages ruled by nobles

King had to have support of nobles

Philip II of Macedon

359 B.C. – Philip II becomes king of Macedon

Hostage in Thebes, Greece as a youth

Admired the Greek Army

Philip IIRecruited own army

Organized army into Phalanx: Row of soldiers shoulder to shoulder

carrying 18 foot spears.

Restored order to MacedonControlled northern Athenian colonies

Greece under Philip IIGreek opinion of Philip: Unify vs. freedom

Demosthenes – Athenian orator (public speaker)disliked Philip.

338 B.C. – Philip wins Battle of Chaeronea, defeats Athens.

Greece under Philip II

Greece united under Philip II

Wanted to conquer Persia336 B.C. – assassinated

Alexander the GreatMilitary education: Macedonian Army

Classical Education: Aristotle

Well prepared for

leadership

Alexander the GreatSkilled and respected military commanderLeads troops from the front

Brave: risked his life like he was a common soldier

331 B.C. – conquered Persia, Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, Mesopotamia

Alexander the GreatGoals Conquer the known world

Spread Greek culture

Rule an empire

Alexander Campaigns

Alexander the GreatGets as far as IndiaIndus River

326 B.C. – Troops refuse to continue return to Greece

Split army at Indian Ocean½ by sea – ½ through desert

Alexander the GreatDesert: Many die from starvation/ exposure

Discontent spreads through empire

Alexander: dies of mysterious illness in BabylonAlmost 33 yrs. old

Spread of Greek CultureAlexander’s armies: Spread Greek culture

Various groups helped to rule empire Greeks and Persians

Fuse cultures:Marrying of Persian women by

Alexander, Generals, Troops

Hellenistic Culture = Greek-like culture established by Alexander the GreatCombined Asian and

Mediterranean ideas

The Hellenistic AgeExisted from Alexander’s death

through Rome’s conquest of Greece

Breakup of the Empire301 B.C. – 3 generals divided the kingdom into 3 after his deathMacedon, Egypt, Syria

Constant fighting between kingdoms

Roman Empire conquered all three kingdoms around 200 B.C.