Alexander's Empire Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Where was Macedonia located and what was the climate like?

North of Greece. Rough terrain and a cold climate.

Why did the Greeks look down upon the Macedonians, and how might this portray the mindset of Grecians of this era?

The Greeks looked down on the Macedonians because they had no great philosophers, sculptors, or writers. This ideology reflects that the Greeks thought their culture was the best and everyone else was uncivilized.

What war tactics did Philip II use?

He organized his troops into phalanxes of 16 men across and 16 deep. Each man was armed with an 18-foot spike, and fast-moving cavalry was used to crush his disorganized opponents.

Why do you think that Philip II wanted to exploit the weaknesses of many Greek Poleis?

He and the Macedonians were tired of the Greeks thinking they were better than them, and he saw an opportunity to conquer new lands because the Poleis were weakened by the Peloponnesian War. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Philip II as a king.

A brilliant general and ruthless politician. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Philip II unable to remove Persian presence from Greece?

He was assassinated before his daughter's wedding. It was alleged that Alexander had a role in his death. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Alexander considered an illegitimate heir to the throne?

It was speculated that Alexander had a different father and was not the direct descendant of Philip II. Signup and view all the answers

How do you think Alexander's upbringing affected his leadership and accomplishments as a king?

Alexander was schooled by the best in science, geography, and literature. He admired the Iliad and sought to emulate war heroes like Achilles. He learned to ride horses, use weapons, and command troops from an early age. Signup and view all the answers

How did Alexander treat his troops?

Alexander always had the same commodities as his army and did not live in luxury while his soldiers lived in shabby tents. Signup and view all the answers

What happened when Alexander called troops from the Greek Poleis and they did not respond?

Alexander killed 6,000 Thebans to motivate other Poleis to join his army. The survivors were sold into slavery, and other Greek city-states quickly gave up on rebellion and joined his army. Signup and view all the answers

Where did Alexander's and Darius' army meet at their first battle and what was the outcome?

The two forces met at the Granicus River, and leading his troops into battle, Alexander smashed the Persian defenses. Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of Alexander's victory at Granicus on Persia?

The Persian King Darius was frightened by this victory and raised an army of 50,000 to 75,000 men near Issus to crush the invaders. Signup and view all the answers

Describe what happened at the Battle of Issus.

Alexander was outnumbered but surprised his enemies and ordered his finest troops to break through a weak point in the Persian lines, charging straight at Darius. Signup and view all the answers

What can we accredit Alexander's witty thinking about how to win the war even if the Persians did outnumber his troops?

We can credit it to the wonderful education Alexander received from Aristotle and his early experience commanding troops. Signup and view all the answers

What did Darius do to avoid being captured by the Macedonians?

Darius fled followed by his panicked army. Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of Alexander winning the war?

This victory gave Alexander control over Anatolia, revenge on Persia, and continued his father's legacy. Signup and view all the answers

What did Alexander do when Darius tried to negotiate a peace settlement shaken by his defeat?

Alexander refused this offer because the rapid collapse of the Persian empire fueled his ambition to conquer it. Signup and view all the answers

Why do you think Alexander always wanted to conquer more land and was never happy with just what he had conquered?

Alexander was always up for a challenge and seemed to need to prove himself to be the best. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Macedonia and Cultural Perceptions

Macedonia was located north of Greece characterized by rough terrain and a cold climate.
Greeks regarded Macedonians as uncivilized due to the absence of renowned philosophers, sculptors, and writers, reflecting their belief in the superiority of their own culture.

Philip II's Military Innovations

Philip II utilized phalanx formations consisting of 16 men across and 16 deep, with soldiers wielding 18-foot spikes and supported by rapid cavalry to overcome disorganized enemies.
His strategy capitalized on the weaknesses of Greek city-states weakened by the Peloponnesian War.

Leadership and Character of Philip II

Philip II was known as a brilliant general coupled with ruthless political acumen.
His ambition to expand territory was potentially driven by personal grievances against Greek arrogance.

Alexander as Heir to the Throne

Alexander faced doubts regarding his legitimacy as heir due to speculation about his paternity, with implications of a different father than Philip II.
His upbringing impacted his leadership style; he was educated in various subjects, deeply influenced by works like the Iliad, and trained in military tactics from an early age.

Alexander's Relationship with Troops

He maintained a close rapport with his troops by sharing their hardships, refusing to live in luxury during campaigns.
In a display of power, Alexander executed 6,000 Thebans to instill fear and ensure compliance among other Greek city-states.

Major Battles and Strategies

Alexander first confronted Darius’ forces at the Granicus River, decisively breaking the Persian defenses.
His victory at Granicus alarmed Darius, who subsequently amassed a larger army in response to Alexander’s threat.
At the Battle of Issus, Alexander, although outnumbered, executed a surprise attack, targeting weak points in the Persian lines, leading to a successful charge against Darius.

Outcome and Impact of Alexander's Campaigns

Darius fled to avoid capture, leaving his troops in disarray and marking a significant victory for Alexander, who gained control over Anatolia and avenged his father's aspirations against Persia.
When Darius attempted to negotiate peace, Alexander dismissed the offer, driven by a desire for complete conquest of the Persian Empire.

Ambition and Quest for Conquest

Alexander's insatiable desire for expansion was motivated by a need to prove himself, indicating a personality marked by ambition and a fierce competitive spirit.

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Description

Explore the key concepts related to Alexander's Empire through these flashcards. Learn about Macedonia's geography, climate, and the cultural perceptions held by the Greeks towards Macedonians. This quiz provides insights into the historical mindset of the era.