Alexander the Great of Macedon
In Alexander the Great of Macedon, archaeologist and historian Richard Miles describes a charismatic demigod who “conquered to live.” Alexander of Macedon, or Alexander the Great, quickly expanded his territory and built an empire that spanned Egypt and Asia, and moved into Europe. But his “greatness” was only apparent after he died and his successors struggled to build a civilization after his death. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Ancient Worlds, an epic series with archaeologist and historian Richard Miles as he explores the roots of civilization from Mesopotamia to the fall of the Roman Empire.
Lesson Express
Q: What was Alexander’s great achievement and why was it special?
A: Alexander forged an empire stretching from Egypt to Afghanistan in just 12 years. This was an unprecedented feat, which means he's often viewed as a legendary conqueror.
Q: What was Alexander trying to accomplish?
A: Alexander aimed to create more than just an empire; he wanted to build a new, unified world that went beyond traditional boundaries.
Q: How did Alexander perceive himself? After his death, how did his successors compare?
A: Alexander began to see himself as divine. After his death, his successors, the Hellenistic kings, struggled to maintain coherence in his chaotic legacy.
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