WebQuest Assignments on Alexander the Great: Man and Legend Alexander the Great lived to be only 33, but in that short life he amassed an empire, opened the western world to the east, and vice versa, changing history forever.  Alexander the Great was a Macedonian who was, and still is, considered a military genius. Alexander did more than vanquish his conquests, however; politically astute, he often embraced their cultures while introducing Greek culture to their societies.

 WebQuest: Task Begin your WebQuest by learning some basic facts about Alexander the Great. As you read these questions and answers about Alexander pick five mentioned locations that interest you. (i.e. Susa, Babylon, Suwa, Macedon, Granicus) Write each location down on a sheet of paper and leave room between them for notes. There are two parts to the assignment in this WebQuest on Alexander the Great. Part one is an analytical writing assignment in which you will need to explain the significance of these places and any events involving Alexander the Great. Process Continue to learn more about Alexander by reading the following: 1. Who was Alexander the Great? http://www.brighthubeducation.com/history- homework-help/62438-alexander-the-great/ 2. Alexander the Great Lesson Plan and Background Information http://www.brighthubeducation.com/history-lessons-grades-9-12/62441-comprehensive- alexander-the-great-lesson-plan/ 3. Historic Figures at BBC.com http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/alexander_the_great.shtml As you read, take detailed notes on your five locations and the historical event or events that took place at each. Include information about the significance of these episodes to the conquests of Alexander the Great, the expansion of his empire, and his legend, or life. Remember to record the date and all of the historical figures involved in any events that took place at each location. (Change your location choices if you find the reading has piqued an interest in different places and the events.)  Assignment: Part One For each of your five chosen locations, explain in detail the event or events that occurred there and their historical significance. As you do so consider the following: 1. Did this episode help to expand Alexander the Great’s empire? If so, how? 2. What did the event or events reveal about Alexander’s character? Did his behavior demonstrate a positive or negative trait? Explain your answer. 3. Can you see the use of propaganda in these events? Do you think this use of propaganda was deliberate on Alexander’s part, or is it more of an historical interpretation? 4. How did Alexander’s presence at this place alter world history? 5. How did Alexander’s actions at the specific location impact his own life? 6. Who else was instrumental to the events at this spot? Part Two After you have completed part one of the assignment, download and print a blank PDF map of Alexander the Great’s empire. Find a web address for blank maps in the Resources section below. Carefully watch an animated map of Alexander the Great's conquests and the spread of his empire at McGraw Hill’s Online Learning center. (See Resources below.) Then, mark and name your chosen sites on the blank map and indicate the year Alexander the Great traveled to each place.  Evaluation / Assessment Credit will be given for accuracy, analysis, good spelling and grammar. A rubric explaining how student work will be assessed can be downloaded in the Media Gallery.  Resources Readings: 1. Answers to Questions about Alexander The Great http://www.brighthubeducation.com/history-homework-help/65224-facts-about- alexander-the-great/ 2. Who was Alexander the Great? http://www.brighthubeducation.com/history- homework-help/62438-alexander-the-great/ 3. Alexander the Great Lesson Plan and Background Information http://www.brighthubeducation.com/history-lessons-grades-9-12/62441-comprehensive- alexander-the-great-lesson-plan/ 4. Historic Figures at BBC.com http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/alexander_the_great.shtml Maps: 5. Animated Map-http://highered.mcgraw- hill.com/sites/0072424370/student_view0/animated_maps.html 6. Blank Map-http://d-maps.com/pays.php? lib=alexander_empire_maps&num_pay=168&lang=en References  Wood, Michael. In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great. University of California Press, 1997. We Also Recommend...  All About Alexander The Great  Alexander the Great: Interactive Activities for Middle and High School Students  A Comprehensive Lesson Plan On Alexander The Great  Who Was Alexander The Great?  Webquest On Ancient Civilizations

Website: http://www.brighthubeducation.com/middle-school-history-lessons/76016-alexander-the-great- webquest/

All About Alexander the Great Who was Alexander the Great? A question that's not easy to answer. Alexander was loved by some, hated by others, and feared by many. This lesson covers key facts about Alexander the Great. Introduce this enigmatic character to your class.  Who were the Macedonians? This is a question with more than one answer, but one that must be considered before beginning the Alexander the Great Lesson Plans in this series. Macedon rose as a power during the 4th century BC and many believe the Macedonians were Greek. Others maintain they were of Slavic origin and point to the modern day Macedonia north of Greece as proof. Citizens of this nation are primarily Albanian and there is question regarding the Macedonian language's relation to Greek. Regardless of the ongoing debate, the Macedonians of Alexander’s time spoke Greek but were not viewed as Hellenes or the “true bearers of Greek Civilization”. (Wood, pg. 22) Instead they were a militaristic culture of hard-drinking, rugged men deemed barbarians. Alexander’s father, Phillip, was no exception. After forming his kingdom from an array of different tribes and communities, Philip used the strength of his newly developed infantry phalanx during the battle of Chaeronea to crush the southern Greek states' hoplites in 338 BC and bring Greece under his rule. King Philip was murdered in 336 BC; 20 year old Alexander stepped up as King.  Biography

Alexander was born in 356 BC to King Philip and his wife Olympias, a native of a border area with Albania known as Epirus. Historians describe Olympias as an emotional woman who believed in unusual cults, worshiped Dionysus (god of ecstasy and possession), and handled snakes. It is believed that Philip became infatuated with Olympias when she was 14 at the celebration of the mystery cult on the island of Samothrace. However, it was also a political savvy move in that his marriage sealed an alliance with western principalities. Legend holds he grew disenchanted years later when he saw her with a snake in her bed. Alexander solutions Eventually, Philip shunned Olympias for a younger wife who bore him another heir. (Polygamy was practiced among Macedonian royalty). Afterwards, Alexander lived in Epirus for a time with his mother, only to return to insults over Philip's new wife and heir. A close and potent pair, Alexander allowed his mother to have this wife and her child put to death when he assumed the throne. (Wood, pg. 24) As a child, Alexander would exhibit characteristics gleaned from both his parents. Like Philip, fearlessness and an ability to evaluate a situation were apparent in the story of Bucephalas (ox head), an untamable horse which Alexander wagered his father he could master. Noticing the horse jumped at its own shadow, the young Alexander led Bucephalus straight into the sun, mounted the horse and rode away. His skill at military strategy was admired at Chareonea, and he is said to have questioned Persian envoys about the geography of their land. Like Olympias, Alexander was temperamental, believed in oracles and omens and developed an interest in cults.  Sent to study with Aristotle, the teenage Alexander began a lifelong dedication to philosophy. Aristotle gave Alexander his copy of the Iliad which Alexander carried with him throughout his life. An admirer of Achilles, Alexander claimed he was a descendant on his mother's side. He also believed himself to be a descendant of Heracles, (Zeus' grandson), on his father's side. All of Alexander's traits would define him as an adult and embolden him to expand his empire as far as India. It's probably impossible to teach a lesson on Alexander the Great without the subject of his sexuality being raised. As with many aspects of Alexander's life, there is no definitive answer. The people of Alexander's time and society were not in the custom of describing a person by their sexuality. It is known that Alexander did not have a physical relationship with a woman until he was 23. He married twice and had two children with his first wife, Roxanne. Alexander also had a son with his mistress Barsine. His strongest emotional tie, other than his bond with Olympias, seems to have been with Hephaistion. A friend since childhood, Hephaistion was known to be Alexander's favorite among a close circle of male friends and appears frequently in images of Alexander. Hephaistion never fell out of favor with the king (unlike many others) and Alexander is quoted as remarking, "Others loved me because I am King. Hephaistion loved me for myself." Whether lifelong friends or romantically involved, it is known that Alexander was inconsolable upon Hephaistion's death. (Hephaistion drank himself to death.) He wept over his body for an entire day, had the doctor crucified and, like Achilles after the death of Patroclus, cut off his hair.

All About Alexander the Great Assignment: Part One Print a blank PDF map of Alexander the Great’s empire. Find a blank map at http://d-maps.com/pays.php?lib=alexander_empire_maps&num_pay=168&lang=en Watch an animated map of Alexander the Great's conquests and the spread of his empire at http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi? it=swf::800::600::/sites/dl/free/0072424370/43862/AlexanderEmpire.swf::Alexander%20The %20Great%20Empire,%20323%20BCE Part Two Mark and name your chosen sites on the blank map and indicate the year Alexander the Great traveled to each place. Do research on the five locations you have chosen and explain in detail the event or events that occurred there and their historical significance. Answering the following question: 1. Did this episode help to expand Alexander the Great’s empire? If so, how? 2. What did the event or events reveal about Alexander’s character? Did his behavior demonstrate a positive or negative trait? Explain your answer. 3. Can you see the use of propaganda in these events? Do you think this use of propaganda was deliberate on Alexander’s part, or is it more of an historical interpretation? 4. How did Alexander’s presence at this place alter world history? 5. How did Alexander’s actions at the specific location impact his own life? 6. Who else was instrumental to the events at this spot?