INTRODUCTION TO A LEVEL CLASSICS UNIT 4
ALEXANDER THE GREAT
A critical study of Alexander’s career between 336 and 323 BC.
WHAT IS THE EXAM LIKE?
The exam is in much the same format as AS
A choice of one out of two source based questions and a choice of one out of two essays. No scaffolding is provided. You have one hour thirty minutes.
ARE THERE ANY SOURCES?
We use two source books:
Arrian, The Campaigns of Alexander, tr. A de Sélincourt, Books 2 3 and 7
Plutarch, Alexander, Chapter 7 in The Age of Alexander, tr. I Scott-Kilvert, Chapter 7
WHAT TOPICS ARE COVERED?
1. The world that Alexander was born into, his father - Phillip II of Macedon, Macedonian society and Greek History up to that point notably relations with the Persian empire. 2. Influences on Alexander – his father and Olympias his mother, Aristotle, the Iliad, Stoicism. 3. Alexander’s accession to the Macedonian throne 4. Alexander’s immediate problems, Campaigns on the Danube and destruction of Thebes and consolidation of Greece. 5. First expedition to Asia Minor, battle of River Granicus, settlement of Asia Minor, stay at Gordium, battle of Issus, 6. Submission of Phoenician cities, sieges of Tyre and Gaza, occupation of Egypt, foundation of Alexandria, 7. Expedition to oracle of Ammon, battle of Gaugamela, occupation of Babylon, Susa and Persepolis, 8. Campaigns of 330 to 327 BC, ‘conspiracy’ of Philotas, murder of Cleitus, conspiracy of the Pages, battle of the River Hydaspes, treatment of Porus, mutiny at the River Hyphasis, march through the Gedrosian Desert, voyage of Nearchus, journey to Pasargadae and Susa, mass marriages, Exiles decree, mutiny at Opis, death of Hephaestion, return to Babylon and death) 9. Alexander’s aims (including personal, political, military, economic, exploratory and cultural considerations) 10. Alexander’s achievements as monarch, military commander (including his strengths and weaknesses in strategy, tactics, military organisation, leadership in battle, his relationship with his officers and men and treatment of opponents) and administrator (including arrangements for administering his various conquests adoption of Persian practices and dress, foundation of cities). His diplomatic skills. 11. Alexander’s attitude towards the gods (including his own divine parentage and divinity) and mythological and historical precedents (including Achilles, Perseus, Herakles, Dionysus, Philip II and Cyrus the Great) 12. Alexander’s relationship with the mainland Greeks. 13. Key characters, Alexander, Parmenio, Cleitus, Philotas, Hephaestion, Nearchus, Callisthenes, Darius, Bessus, Porus, Roxanne. 14. The aims, methods, sources and judgments of Arrian and Plutarch and problems in their use as evidence.
15. The legacy of Alexander – his empire after his death and his mythical status.
16. The cultural diffusion of Hellenism to Asia.
ARE THERE ANY NEW WORDS?
Key Greek concepts
Kleos – fame and honour – especially that which lives on after your death. This is a frequent theme in the Iliad and the Odyssey. It can be hereditary – you inherit your father’s kleos and have a duty to build on it.
“What we do in life echoes in eternity”.
Fabius Maximus - Gladiator
Pothos – the yearning to strive and achieve which drives people on.
“Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield”.
Alfred Lord Tennyson – Ulysses.
Aidos – a feeling of shame and modesty that stops people doing terrible things
WHAT ARE THE BIG QUESTIONS ABOUT ALEXANDER?
1. Alexander became King in 336BC aged 20. He died aged 33 in 323BC. Probably no one has achieved so much in so short a time. He is the ultimate argument for the Great Man School of History. How did he do it? 2. What were the motivations of this extraordinary man? 3. Alexander was undoubtedly a superb battlefield commander and leader of men – how did he manage it. 4. The army he commanded – why was it so good? 5. Why did Alexander inspire such loyalty? 6. How far was Alexander a cultured, chivalrous, cosmopolitan figure who united an Empire? 7. Alexander’s state of mind and his descent in megalomania paranoia, and irrational cruelty. How mad was he? 8. Did he extend the benefits of Greek civilization to his Empire? 9. What was the human cost of his adventures? 10. Alexander’s relationships with his defeated foes. 11. Alexander’s crimes – did he murder his father? 12. Alexander and religion – did he believe himself to be a God? 13. How far was Alexander reliving the careers of ancient heroes notably Achilles? 14. What were the weaknesses and strengths of the Empires he conquered? 15. How reliable are the sources about him? 16. How did Alexander die – was he murdered? 17. What happened after his death?
The Man who would be King
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dJf5rO0-BM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYhUqPWMMQU&feature=related
Troy – Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKQhUzxlml8
Alexander – Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZTxemLkATk