Introduction

1. Introduction Alexander the Great, Sources

2. Introduction • Alexander is one of the very few figures in history to be given the title of ‘Great’ – not even Julius Caesar managed this. This is a tribute not only to his extraordinary conquest of the Persian Empire but also to an unusual personality. • Alexander was not just a Greek but a Macedonian too – an important point to note. There were very deep differences between the cultures and histories of the two races. He became King of Macedonia and leader of the Greeks at a very young age of 19 or 20, and before his death (at age 32) he had invaded and conquered the Persian Empire, travelling as far as the River Indus in India. • He carried Greek Culture to all parts of this vast Empire by founding cities in his name. Although his empire disintegrated after his death, the Greek influence remained. • However, there are difficulties in trying to find out exactly what happened and why, when there is so little reliable historical evidence.

3. Sources There were many authors who lived at the same time as Alexander, and wrote a lot of books about him. These are primary sources because they are eye witness accounts by people who were actually there at the time. These authors were: • Callisthenes – Alexander’s official Greek historian who accompanied him on his expedition to Persia • Ptolemy – One of Alexander’s chief generals who after Alexander’s death became King of Egypt • Nearchus – Alexander’s admiral who accompanied the expedition and sailed around the coast of Persia • Onesicritus – A sailor on the expedition • Aristobulus – A Macedonian soldier and engineer who went with Alexander • Cleitarchus – A Greek contemporary of Alexander who did not accompany the expedition • Chares – Alexander’s Greek houseworker in charge of his household BUT! None of the books that these people wrote still survive 

4. However…. • There are 5 writers, who lived centuries after Alexander the Great, who had read those books. So, they wrote their own books based on the facts in them. And it is from these secondary sources, written by the 5 authors, that we get our information about Alexander from today. The 5 authors are: • Curtius Rufus – A Roman writing in the first Century Ad (300 years after Alexander) • Diodorus - A Roman who lived at the same time as Curtius Rufus • Arrian – Roman, Second century AD • Plutarch – Greek, Second century AD • Justin – Roman, Third century AD • Each of these authors quotes one or two of the primary sources, • But it is hard to tell who is most reliable, as centuries later stories can easily have been changed and altered.

5. Analysing the Sources • Each writer had different attitudes and bias in their writing depending on their relationship with Alexander or attitude towards him. Whether they were Greek, Macedonian or Roman also influences their thinking. • These two groups of sources often have conflicting information on the same event in Augustus’ life. There are two groups that the sources fit into ‘The Vulgate’(Curtius Rufus, Diodorus and Justin) They only use Cleitarchus as their main source and he is less reliable as he has 2nd hand information and focuses on popular belief ‘The Good Tradition’ (Arrian and Plutarch) they use the primary source Aristobulus as a main source. Who is considered more relaiable.

6. It is very important to use the secondary sources in our study of Alexander: • For exam questions • For understanding • Homework on the sources: read Paul Artus book p. 8-9. answer questions on p.12

7. Te Whanau MacedoniaEpirus Hercules Achilles Attalus (uncle of cleopatra) cleopatra’s mother Alexander of Epirus Phillip II Olympias cleopatra Cleopatra Roxane Alexander The great Barsine (daughter of Darius) Parysatis (Daughter of Artaxerxes III)

8. Phillip of Macedon • In your workbook, Read ‘The Reign of Phillip II’ (from ‘Phillips aims and policies’ to the end of ‘steps taken by Phillip to ensure his aims were fulfilled’) • Workbook –Read To Hell’n back about The Battle of Chaeronea 338 BC • See handout – the army reorganisation

9. The league of Corinth Late 338 BC, Philip set up the League of Corinth. He was elected it’s military leader (Hegemon) for life. It’s member were all Greek states. Eg. Athens, Corinth, Platea, Thebes. Sparta was not a member. • Phillip was able to create the league as the other Greek states lost to him at the Battle of Charoneia. • Phillip proposed that the states should become members and take an oath to observe a common peace (Koine Eirene). Each state was to be “free and autonomous” under its existing rule. Each state agreed that action would be taken against any state which broke the peace.

10. The League of Corinth Diodorus writes: “In 338/7 BC King Phillip, proud of his victory at Charoneia by which he had humbled the leading Greek states, became ambitious to become leader of all Greece. He spread the word that he wished to undertake a war against the Persians in behalf of Greece and to punish them for the sacrilege they had committed against Greek temples…By raising great hopes, he won the support of the delegates and finally they chose him as commander-in-chief of the Greek forces.” At the first meeting of the League, Phillip proposed they all declare war on Persia, and avenge the destruction by the Persians when Xerxes invaded Greece in 480-479 BC. (Xerxes was the King of Persia 486-465 BC) He destroyed Athens completely (all private homes, buildings and defences were destroyed).

11. Tonight’s homework… • Read, ‘the Corinthian league’ (the page after ‘to hell’n back’) and highlight key information. • Then, read and Complete ‘Hamilton Worksheet’ : ‘The Corinthian League’ and answer questions below it. • It is very important you understand properly – must be completed for homework.  next..the murder of phillip ‘oooooh!’