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Name

Alexander the Great *

1 The city-state of Sparta finally defeated democratic Athens during the Peloponnesian War in 404 BCE. This conflict had raged for nearly thirty years during Greece’s cultural height. Sparta and its allies were the victors, but the peace did not last long.

2 In 371 BCE, the powerful city-state of Thebes attacked its ally, Sparta, and crushed its army. The social and military order that had been firmly in place crumbled like a stone wall. Greek city- states weakened and became shells of their former selves. Resting on Greece’s northern border was the kingdom of Macedon ruled by Philip II. He watched the new chaos with glee and gathered his mighty warriors. Then, he plunged south and attacked one army after another, crushing every city-state in his way. At the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BCE, he finally smashed the Athenians and captured all of Greece.

3 Philip then turned his greedy gaze upon the Persian Empire to the east. Although, before he could launch an attack, he was assassinated in 336 BCE. The new kingdom now fell into the hands of his young son Alexander. Born on July 26, 356 BCE, this young warrior had already earned a reputation as a valiant leader during his father’s conquest of Greece. He had led a cavalry unit that smashed Thebes’s mighty army. Alexander had no plans of ditching his father’s dream of conquering the massive Persian Empire. He longed to expand his kingdom and become the mightiest general the world had ever known.

4 As Alexander prepared for his assault, Thebes plotted a revolt against the 20 year old king. Alexander marched his army through Greece and defeated the city. As a lesson to others, he sold many of the citizens into slavery and sacked the town. Other city-states contemplating rebellion quickly reaffirmed their loyalty to Alexander. The young king now turned east to Persia.

5 In 334 BCE, the Greeks moved into Asia Minor, or present-day Turkey. They quickly conquered the cities along the coast. This gave Alexander control of the ports, blocking the Persian navy from landing troops. A year later, Alexander met Persian King Darius III at the Battle of Issus. The Greeks were greatly outnumbered, yet Alexander performed a brilliant maneuver that smashed the Persians. King Darius fled the battlefield in disgrace. The Greeks captured the royal family and a huge chunk of the empire. The Greeks then pursued Darius south into present-day Syria. They conquered all the cities in their path when they arrived in Egypt.

6 In 332 BCE, the Egyptians offered him not a sword but their land. The Persians were hated rulers, and Alexander offered peace and order. His reputation for being a just king toward cooperative subjects preceded him. He was also known as a leader who appreciated other cultures. He became pharaoh and quickly began construction of the city of Alexandria on the Mediterranean Sea. This city was to house all of the ancient knowledge at the Temple of Serapis, an enormous library. Nearly a year later, Alexander marched his army to the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, or Mesopotamia, in pursuit of Darius. In these ancient deserts, both Persians and Greeks clashed in a wall of swords and flesh. Blood drenched the scorching sand. At the end of the Battle of Gaugamela, Darius was once more in a blur of retreat. The Greeks moved on to capture the city of Babylon. Then they took Persepolis, the Persian capital. He either slaughtered the inhabitants or sold them into slavery for their defiance. The Greeks now controlled most of the Persian Empire. The chase for Darius ended when news arrived that he had been murdered by his own people.

7 In 327 BCE, Alexander’s army marched into present-day India and moved to attack the city of Taxila; however, King Ambhi surrendered rather than take on the invincible Greeks. The next kingdom chose to fight but lost. Alexander then controlled the Punjab region and thirsted for more battle further east. His fellow Greeks did not share his thirst for power and conquest though. These mighty warriors were exhausted and longed for home. Alexander relented and chose to focus on governing his vast empire.

8 After a hearty feast, Alexander fell gravely ill and became bed-ridden. Many historians have suspected that he was poisoned but little evidence exists to back this theory. Death finally called for him on June 10, 323 BCE as he lay surrounded by his generals. Not long after, the empire was broken up and each general took a piece. The Greek Empire and age was coming to an end.

9 Alexander the Great was a leader capable of complete acceptance of other peoples and culture. He was also known for ruthless actions against those that resisted his army. He established an immense empire and spread Greek culture across the known world and brought others home to Greece. His leadership in battle and government ensured that there were few historical figures that matched his brilliance.

Directions: Read each question and circle the best answer.

1. Who won the Peloponnesian War?

A. Persia B. Sparta * C. Thebes D. Athens

2. How did Philip II of Macedon die? A. he was murdered * B. he died in battle C. he was poisoned D. he died of sickness

3. What battle allowed King Philip II to conquer all of Greece?

A. Gaugamela B. Marathon C. Issus D. Chaeronea *

4. What prevented the Persians from retaking Asia Minor from Alexander?

A. the Greeks had B. the Greeks had captured C. the Persian army was D. the Greek army was destroyed the Persian navy all of the port cities * not powerful enough moving too quickly

5. How did King Darius III die?

A. Alexander killed B. a Greek general killed C. he died from poisoning D. he was murdered by his him in battle him at Gaugamela own people *

6. Which battle happened second?

A. Persepolis B. Gaugamela C. Chaeronea D. Issus *

7. Using context clues, what does the word contemplating mean in paragraph 4?

A. considering * B. discarding C. forgiving D. disavowing

8. Which of the following would be the best title for paragraph 4?

A. Looking to Persia B. Crushing Rebellion * C. Capturing Greece D. Building an Army

9. Alexander could best be described as—

A. ordinary B. mediocre C. cowardly D. valiant *

10. What was the author’s purpose for writing this article?

A. to convince you that B. to inform you about C. to entertain you with D. to inform you about Alexander was the greatest Alexander’s successes stories of battles the life of Alexander * general in history

11. What was a positive accomplishment of Alexander the Great?

A. his capture of Thebes B. his capture of Persepolis C. spreading Greek culture D. his success over King around the known world * Darius repeatedly

12. Which would be the best resource for more information about the article?

A. an ancient Greek poem B. an encyclopedia * C. a website on the D. a website on the Peloponnesian War Egyptian Empire

13. What would be a synonym for the word reaffirmed in paragraph 4?

A. confirmed * B. disregarded C. discounted D. heeded

14. Who might find this information most helpful?

A. someone researching B. someone researching C. someone researching D. someone researching the Alexander defeating Persia * the Peloponnesus War the city-state of Sparta Greek world after Alexander