Ancient History Historical Investigations Year 11

Alexander the Great never ceases to fascinate. He was aged only 20 when he became king of Macedon, but had already begun to show the military genius that would win him victories against the mighty Persian Empire. In a campaign lasting 11 years he travelled thousands of miles through deserts, plains and forests, fought huge battles, and besieged many cities to become the master of a massive empire. He died prematurely at the age of just 33, and no man could hold together the empire he had created. A god in his lifetime, his name is still world-famous millennia after his death. This book examines Alexander's campaigns in detail and his victories with the help of maps, illustrations and reconstructions to bring the epic career of one of the world's greatest generals to life.

Provides an introduction to the history of Alexander and the main themes of his reign. As well as tackling problems of interpretation, the text includes: an examination of the written and other sources, and the problems of working with them; discussion of archaeological and numismatic evidence; an outline of the Macedonian background; insight into Alexander's education and ideas; an exploration of Alexander's claim to divinity; assessment of Alexander's short and long-term achievements; and a study of his influence in antiquity.

As legend has it, a young prince, Alexander, once subdued a wild stallion others couldn't control. Impressed by the youngster's bravery, his father, King Philip of Macedonia, predicted that Alexander would need to find a kingdom big enough for his ambitions. and when Alexander became king, that's exactly what he did. Alexander and his well-trained armies first gained the support of the Greek city states. Then in the mid-300s B.C., he conquered Egypt and the Persian Empire. with his brilliant military tactics, Alexander took over lands including modern-day Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northern India. Although he lived only thirty-three years, Alexander and his armies spread Greek culture and customs to these conquered lands, joining Western and Eastern ideas to produce a new culture called Hellenism, which influenced the ancient world for centuries to come.