Unit 3: Classical Greece

Question 1

True or False? In 480 BCE, Persian forces led by King Darius burned down the city of Athens, as well as the Acropolis, in what is called “the Persian Destruction of Athens.”

Answer 1

False.

Question 2

What was the name of Alexander The Great’s father, who had an impressive military career and greatly improved the strength of the Macedonian army?

Answer 2

Phillip II.

Question 3

Which famous Greek philosopher tutored Alexander the Great?

Answer 3

Aristotle.

Question 4

WHat is something UNTRUE about the sarissa?

Answer 4

A FAKE fact about it is that Alexander The Great popularized it.

Question 5

Finish the sentence:
Soldiers in the famous Macedonian ____ unit/formation were often armed with ____.

Answer 5

Phalanx; sarrisas.

Question 6

True or False? Alexander’s armies were often organized with the Macedonian phalanx in the center, with Companion cavalry at either the right or left flank.

Answer 6

True.

Question 7

True or False? Alexander was 19 years old when his father was assassinated. He took control of his father’s kingdom, including its now formidable army. He quelled rebellion locally, and assassinated some would-be competitors.

Answer 7

False.

Question 8

True or False? Alexander’s father had already been devising a plan to invade the Persian empire when he was then assassinated at his daughter’s wedding.

Answer 8

True.

Question 9

What year did Alexander take his troops into Asia Minor for his first major battle against the Persians?

Answer 9

334 BCE.

Question 10

True or False? There were Greek mercenaries on the Persian side, and at this first battle at Granicus, on the verge of victory, Alexander massacred thousands of these Greeks.

Answer 10

True.

Question 11

What was the name of the next major battle Alexander had; which the Persian Army being lead by King Darius himself but would ultimately be won by Alexander anyways?

Answer 11

Battle of Issus.

Question 12

True or False? As a result of Alexander’s victory at the battle mentioned above, Alexander took from Darius his wife, mother, and three children. According to our video they were “treated well” but that is hard to believe.

Answer 12

True.

Question 13

What was the name of the city Alexander laid siege to, that while he was fighting them he built two siege towers made up of scrap material from the wall surrounding them?

Answer 13

Tyre.

Question 14

Finish the sentence:
While Alexander was far from Greece and Macedon, there was a Spartan revolt. This revolt was quickly crushed by the Macedonian commander ____. The king of Sparta at the time, ____, was killed during the conflict.

Answer 14

Antipater; Agis.

Question 15

True or False? Throughout the whole campaign, Alexander faced battle against all types of transportation including war elephants.

Answer 15

True.

Question 16

True or False? Alexander would eventually burn down the Persian city of Persepolis as revenge for Persia burning down Athenian temples in 480 BCE, more than 100 years prior.

Answer 16

True.

Question 17

True or False? Ultimately Alexander the Great would execute two former trusted commanders: Parmenion and his eldest son Philotas. The reason for this execution was that Philotas had known about a plan to assassinate Alexander, but kept it a secret from Alexander.

Answer 17

True.

Question 18

True or False? Alexander began to alienate himself from his Macedonian men due to his arrogance, but also due to his heavy adoption of Persian culture and custom.

Answer 18

True.

Question 19

What is proskynesis?

Answer 19

A mostly Ancient Persian custom to bow down or kneel to a ruler or Lord.

Question 20

Finish the sentence:
In a heated argument, Alexander drunkenly killed ____, who had actually saved his life during a previous battle.

Answer 20

Cleitus.

Question 21

True or False? Alexander was treated amazingly in Egypt. He was crowned pharoah, and considered by some to be son of the god Amun. In addition, the Persian governor of Egypt gave Alexander the treasury.

Answer 21

True.

Question 22

True or False? As Persian king Darius realized the might of Alexander’s command and the strength of the Macedonian army, he sent a message to Alexander offering him half of his empire, his daughter in marriage, and large sums of gold. Alexander rejected his offer.

Answer 22

True.

Question 23

How many times did Alexander’s army mutiny?

Answer 23

Two times.

Question 24

True or False? Alexander campaigned all the way to modern day Pakistan and India. He crossed the Hindu Kush mountains into the Indus River Valley. His army finally mutinied, though. Many of his men had marched for many years, far from home, and had heard rumours of gigantic armies waiting for them in India.

Answer 24

True.

Question 25

I dunno how to word this one, so have some facts about Alexander.

Answer 25

a. His closest friend Hephaestion died of fever, and Alexander was devastated.
b. Alexander died at age 32. The cause of his death was never firmly established: it could have been from a disease like malaria, cholera, or typhus, or he could have been poisoned.
c. Alexander arranged a mass-marriage at Susa, between his men and Persian noble-women. This was a smart diplomatic move.
d. He paid his soldiers’ debts.
e. He ordered 30,000 of the youths to be trained in the Macedonian art of war.

Question 26

What is a FALSE fact about Alexander the Great?

Answer 26

A FALSE fact is that Alexander’s empire, after his death, was split between his top generals. This empire, after Alexander’s death, was well-planned and it lived on for centuries.

Question 27

About how many miles did Alexander travel in his lifetime?

Answer 27

22,000.