Name Class Date The Greek World History and Geography Alexander’s Empire Alexander the Great began building his empire in 334 BC, when he defeated a large Persian army at Granicus. He continued his march through Asia Minor and conquered the Persians near the town of Issus. In 332 BC Alexander invaded Egypt, which surrendered to him with- out a fight. Alexander then went to Gaugamela, where he defeated the Persian army for the last time. When the king of Persia fled the coun- try, Alexander became ruler of the Persian Empire. Alexander and his armies kept marching through Central Asia. Once they crossed the Indus River, Alexander’s soldiers refused to go any farther. They were tired and wanted to go home. Disappointed, Alexander and his army began their long journey back to Greece. The map below shows the path of Alexander’s conquests. Use the map to answer the questions on the following page. D a N n 0 250 500 Miles u b e W E R 0 250 500 Kilometers iver Ja S Aral xa IA (S rte ON Sea yr s D D R CE a A Bla r i M ck CAUCASU y v Se a e a r Pella MOUNTAINS C ) a Alexandria S s O Granicus xu p ( s Eskhata 334 BC Am Thebes i u R Gordium a i D ve Athens n a r BACTRIA ry Sparta Sardis a) S ASIA MINOR e Crete a INDU Alexandria Issus Alexandropolis Alexandria on H Nicaea 333 BC the Caucasus KUSH M Gaugamela e Kabul d T 331 BC i i t A e g r I ra Cyprus r PARTHIA n R i Ecbatana ea s Alexandria n Y R S S . Alexandria Bucephala ea r Areia e PERSIAN Alexandria v Alexandria i E Susa u Arachoton R Alexandria p EMPIRE h Babylon (Kandahar) Opiana Memphis ra te s s u R. d Pasargadae n INDIA Arabian Alexandria I EGYPT Persepolis Alexandria N Peninsula i l P e e R r Alexandria . si Pattala Red an Carmana Battle site G ulf Sea Route of Alexander and his army. Arabian Sea MAP ACTIVITY 1. Use a bright color to highlight the route taken by Alexander and his armies. 2. Use a different color to highlight all three of the major battle sites where Alexander and his armies fought the Persians. Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. 22 The Greek World 5183_MSH_HistGeo_Ch10.indd 22 2/1/05 9:44:11 PM Name Class Date Alexander’s Empire, continued History and Geography 3. What is the name of the river that Alexander and his armies crossed after entering Central Asia? Highlight it on the map with another color. 4. Update the map legend to reflect the colors that you have added to the map. ANALYZING MAPS 1. Place How many cities did Alexander name Alexandria, after himself? 2. Location What major battle site lies south of the Caucasus Mountains? 3. Region How many miles did Alexander’s empire extend from east to west? 4. Movement Why did Alexander’s soldiers refuse to go deeper into Central Asia? What effect did this have on Alexander’s effort to build a great empire? Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. 23 The Greek World 5183_MSH_HistGeo_Ch10.indd 23 2/1/05 9:44:47 PM .