Alexander the Great, the young Macedonian military genius who forged an empire stretching from the eastern Mediterranean to India, dies in Babylon, in what is now present-day Iraq, at the age of 33.
Born in Macedonia to King Phillip II and Queen Olympias, Alexander received a classical education from famed philosopher Aristotle and a military education from his father. At the age of 16, Alexander led his first troops into combat and two years later commanded a large part of his father's army that won the Battle of Chaeronea and brought Greece under Macedonian rule. In 336 B.C., Phillip II was assassinated, and Alexander ascended to the throne.
Two years later, the young king led a large army into Asia Minor to carry out his father's plans for conquering Persia. Consistently outnumbered in his battles against superior Persian forces, Alexander displayed an unprecedented understanding of strategic military planning and tactical maneuvers. He never lost a single battle, and by 330 B.C. all of Persia and Asia Minor was under his sway. Within his empire, he founded great and lasting cities, such as Alexandria in Egypt, and brought about sweeping political and economic changes based on the advanced Greek models taught to him in his youth.
Although Alexander controlled the largest empire in the history of the world, he launched a new eastern campaign soon after his return from Persia. By 327 B.C., he had conquered Afghanistan, Central Asia, and northern India. In the next year, his army, exhausted after eight years of fighting, refused to go farther, and Alexander led them on a difficult journey home through the inhospitable Makran Desert.
Finally reaching Babylon, Alexander began constructing a large fleet to take his army back to Egypt. However, in June 323 B.C., just as the work on his ships was reaching its conclusion, Alexander fell sick and died. Perhaps earnestly believing himself to be a god (as many of his subjects did), he had not selected a successor, and within a year of his death his army and his empire broke into a multitude of warring factions. His body was later returned to Alexandria, where it was laid to rest in a golden coffin.
Why is it important that Alexander was educated by Aristotle?
Why do you think that his title includes "the Great"?
Compare him to another historical warrior.
photo credit:-retrieved from http://paulchong.net/2010/08/31/alexander-the-great-his-farewell-words/
text credit-retiieved from http://www.history.com/topics/alexander-the-great (edited for this blog)
The video you included in your blog was very entertaining with great energy. It seemed so realistic. This would absolutely draw in every student to focus, become motivated, and be able to complete the tasks you are asking of them. Your post about his background/life had a great amount of detail that would help the students fulfill the assignment with ease.
ReplyDeleteThe video was amazing. I felt like I was there. This will grab the students and motivate them to answer the questions that you want them to answer. I really enjoyed learning the facts about Alexander the Great.
ReplyDeleteI think the questions you asked are great! Each one will ask the students to think in order to answer the question. I specifically like the question about why he was titled "the great". I think this will ask students to think about what constitutes "great" and how it applies to Alexander the Great and the text you have provided. I also like the video you posted, very interesting.
ReplyDeleteUsing a clip from a feature film is a great way to get your students interested. Nicely done! I also liked how your question forced your students to look at your Aristotle link.
ReplyDeleteloved the video!! it was very age appropriate which is hard to find these days. Also love the display of your background and how your blog is set up. The questions also would make students look back at what they have read. This is beneficial because it allows students to find meaning in the text. I saw you used some bloom taxonomy questions.
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