AtG Flashcards
Main Idea
AtG conquered Persia and Egypt, extended his empire to the Indus river in northwest India
Relevance
AtG empire extended across 3 continents, today consisting of many nations and diverse cultures
Where was Alexander from?
Macedon/ia
Who was Alexander’s father?
King Philip of Macedonia
How did the Macedonians view Greeks?
looked up to them
How did the Greeks view Macedonia?
Didn’t look up to them
Who was king of Macedonia in 359 BCE?
Philip II, father of AtG
What did Philip do bc of his aspirations to conquer?
Gathered large army, adopts and improves phalanx, plans to invade Greece
Who was by Philip’s side while he planned?
Alexander (young)
How did Philip end Hoplite Greek warfare?
Macedonian phalanx, green infantry, and holds a sarissa 18ft pike instead of spear
what was called “philip’s most powerful weapon of war?”
the macedonian phalanx
What did Philip first conquer?
Greece
Who warned against Philip’s conquering Greece?
Demosthenes, a prominent Greek statesman and orator of ancient Athens.
Which two city states tried to stop Philip from conquering them?
Athens and Thebes
How old was Alexander when Philip conquered Greece?
16
What was the battle of Chaeronea? Who won?
A turning point in the conquest of Greece. The Greeks were defeated.
Who assassinated Philip II? When?
His bodyguard, Pausanius, 336 BCE
What dream of Philip’s did he never accomplish?
Invasion of Persia
What did AtG do when his father was killed?
Proclaimed himself king
Why was Philip murdered?
Personal feud btwn him and bodyguard OR someone put him up to it
Who may have put Pausanius up to killing Philip?
Olympias, Darius, or Alexander
Why was AtG ready to rule at such a young age?
He was tutored by Aristotle, his role model was Achilles (his favorite book was the Illiad)
How did AtG first demonstrate his abilities? What did this cause?
He crushed a revolt in Thebes, and afterwards no other city states rebelled
Story of taming Bucephalus
Tamed untameable horse
What leadership power did AtG use w/ the Thebans?
coercive
What did AtG do to Thebes?
Crushed the revolt, burned it down
What in Thebes did AtG spare?
House of Pindar, famous poet
What did AtG do in 334 BCE?
Led 35000 troops into Anatolia, edge of Persian Empire
What happened at the Granicus River?
AtG smashed Persian defenses
How did AtG stand out on the battlefield?
By leading at the front
Who was Parmenio?
AtG general
Who was Hepheistian?
Alexander’s best friend
What did Parmenio advise AtG? What was his response?
Not to cross the river and fight right then; he wouldn’t let a ‘little stream’ stand in his way
What did AtG wear?
A white helmet
What was the Gordian Knot?
An ox cart (not attached to an ox) with a very complex knot. Whoever undid it would be ruler of Asia according to the legend of the people.
What did AtG do when he heard about the Gordian Knot?
Used critical thinking and cut through the knot, undoing it
What happened when AtG went to conquer Israel?
The priest went out in his special robes to greet him (not allowed in reg circumstances; pikuach nefesh)
What happened when AtG met Shimon HaTzaddik?
AtG knelt @ his feet
How is Alexander a Jewish name?
After he spared the city the sages proclaimed that all 1st born males should be named Alexander
What did Darius offer Alexander?
A third of the empire and his gorgeous youngest daughter
What was AtG’s response to Darius?
He will take his whole empire, and to address him as Lord of Asia
What Egyptian city did AtG found?
Alexandria
What happened to Alexander in Egypt in 332 BCE?
He was crowned pharoah
Where in Egypt did Alexander travel to? Why?
Siwah, to talk to the Egyptian Oracle
Were the Egyptians happier under AtG or the Persians?
AtG
What did AtG do after conquering Egypt?
Went E to confront Darius
How could AtG benefit from talking to the Egyptian Oracle?
His mom had told him he was a demigod, wanted to confirm that
What did Mediterranean Sea sailors fear most?
flat, undistinguished coastline of N Egypt
What was the dual purpose of the Pharos Lighthouse?
Welcome beacon for weary travelers, warned ships of dangerous coastline
How tall was the Pharos Lighthouse?
Over 30 stories, 440 ft
How did the Pharos Lighthouse work (day and night?)
Day-mirrors reflected sunlight, night-fire was made
What was used to project the Pharos Lighthouse light?
Polished sheet of bronze/mirror
How long did the Pharos Lighthouse last? What eventually happened to it?
1700 years. Destroyed by earthquakes in 14th century.
How did the Siwah oracle work?
Priests listen in, answer from passageway pretending to be Zeus
What was the Egyptian name for Zeus?
Ammon
What did AtG ask the Oracle?
Will I conquer the world? Were my father’s killers punished? Am I the son of Zeus (meaning I can’t lose?)
What did the Oracle answer AtG?
Yes to all
Why would the priests of the oracle lie?
AtG won’t like bad answers/if they’re wrong he won’t come back and murder them
What did Darius do to meet AtG?
Assembled army of 250,000 men
What did AtG do after the battle of Gaugamela?
Quickly occupied capitals of Babylon, Susa, Persepolis
How did AtG get to India?
Crossed into Indus Valley.
Who tried to stop AtG in India? How?
King Porus, @ battle of Hydaspes River
Who won the Hydaspes River battle?
AtG, but pyrrhic
How did the Athenian exile flatter Darius?
Commented on the beauty of the army
What did the Athenian exile tell Darius about AtG/Macedonian army?
Strong, won’t be intimidated, don’t depend on outward appearance
Based on what the Athenian exile said, what should Darius have done?
Make something to beat the phalanx
What was the ratio of Persians to Macedonians?
5:1
What did AtG do at the battle of Gaugamela?
Held ranks until last possible second
What did Darius do that lost him the battle?
Panicked and ran away
What was different about India?
The elephants were trained to fight
What is pyrrhic?
(of a victory) won at too great a cost to have been worthwhile for the victor.
What did AtG troops do after Hydaspes River battle?
refused to continue
What incident happened to AtG in Makran desert?
He was dehydrated. His troops found water (little left) and gave it to him, but he poured it on the ground.
What happened to AtG in Babylon?
Contracted fever, died @ age 32, causing his generals to fight among themselves.
What were AtG three lessons?
Don’t take life for granted or take up time to chase wealth bc it won’t come w you, came into this world empty handed want to leave that way
