hephaistion’s death

Hephaistion’s deathHephaistion’s death

324 BC324 BC

Video clip #37

Draw symbols of these 10 things onto a chart Draw symbols of these 10 things onto a chart

Hephaistion died in Ecbatana, 324 BC from Hephaistion died in Ecbatana, 324 BC from excessive drinking. Hephaistion supported all excessive drinking. Hephaistion supported all Alexander’s policies. He was second in command.Alexander’s policies. He was second in command.

Alexander was in so much grief that he:Alexander was in so much grief that he:

o Hanged Hephaistion’s doctorHanged Hephaistion’s doctoro Lay for 3 days without food or waterLay for 3 days without food or watero Cut his hair – like Achilles did when patroclus diedCut his hair – like Achilles did when patroclus diedo Destroyed the temple of Asclepius (god of health and Destroyed the temple of Asclepius (god of health and

medicine)medicine)o Sacred fires were extinguished throughout the empire Sacred fires were extinguished throughout the empire

(Persian custom for a King’s death)(Persian custom for a King’s death)o Made a decree of general mourning throughout the eastMade a decree of general mourning throughout the easto Commissioned a memorial for Hephaistion at BabylonCommissioned a memorial for Hephaistion at Babylono Sent an embassy to Siwah to consult his father Ammon to Sent an embassy to Siwah to consult his father Ammon to

ask how Hephaistion should be honoured. The response was: ask how Hephaistion should be honoured. The response was: as a hero. as a hero.

o Asked the Athenians to create a hero cult for HephaistionAsked the Athenians to create a hero cult for Hephaistiono Ordered large, expensive shrines to be built in Alexandria Ordered large, expensive shrines to be built in Alexandria

(Egypt) and the island of Pharos(Egypt) and the island of Pharos

BabylonBabylon

Ishtar Gate, Babylon

Charles LeBrun, Charles LeBrun,

The Entry of Alexander into BabylonThe Entry of Alexander into Babylon, c. 1664, c. 1664

Achaemenid silverBull rhyton

While at Babylon, envoys came from a number of Greek States, While at Babylon, envoys came from a number of Greek States, wearing crowns. They approached Alexander and crowned him with wearing crowns. They approached Alexander and crowned him with golden crowns, honouring him as a god.golden crowns, honouring him as a god.

Plutarch says Alexander wrote to the Plutarch says Alexander wrote to the Greeks asking them to give him divine Greeks asking them to give him divine honourshonours

Reaction from Greek statesReaction from Greek states::

SpartaSparta ““Since Alexander Since Alexander wants to be a god, let wants to be a god, let him be a god” (Danis)him be a god” (Danis)

AthensAthens Debated the issueDebated the issue

Request for deificationRequest for deification

The Greek states all agreed to give him the honours in Spring 323

This meant they recognised Alexander as divineThis meant they recognised Alexander as divine For Greeks, it was impossible for a mortal to For Greeks, it was impossible for a mortal to

become a god, eg. Herakles was only ever become a god, eg. Herakles was only ever considered a demi-godconsidered a demi-god

Why would he asked to be deified?Why would he asked to be deified? Alexander wanted to be god of his Empire, because he thought being Alexander wanted to be god of his Empire, because he thought being

the Great King of Persia proved he was worthythe Great King of Persia proved he was worthy Alex was encouraged to believe in himself from a young age. Alex was encouraged to believe in himself from a young age.

Olympias told him he was son of ZeusOlympias told him he was son of Zeus He emphasised his heroic lineage – his decent from Achilles (mother’s He emphasised his heroic lineage – his decent from Achilles (mother’s

side) and Heracles (father’s side)side) and Heracles (father’s side) He believed he was son of Ammon Ra after visiting the oracle at He believed he was son of Ammon Ra after visiting the oracle at

SiwahSiwah

Alexander’s deathAlexander’s death

There were Warnings and superstitions before his death:There were Warnings and superstitions before his death:

• when he reached Babylon, priests of Marduk begged him not to when he reached Babylon, priests of Marduk begged him not to enter – they had received an oracle from the gods that if he enter – they had received an oracle from the gods that if he did, he would suffer misfortunedid, he would suffer misfortune

• Alex disregarded their adviceAlex disregarded their advice, ,

• When alex was sailing in the marshes, his hat & diadem When alex was sailing in the marshes, his hat & diadem (crown) was blown off. They landed near the tombs of the dead (crown) was blown off. They landed near the tombs of the dead Assyrain kings. A sailor swam out to get it and to keep it dry, Assyrain kings. A sailor swam out to get it and to keep it dry, put it on his head. He was given one talent for helping. But put it on his head. He was given one talent for helping. But then was executed because prophets said it was bad luck that then was executed because prophets said it was bad luck that the sailor had worn the diadem(crown).the sailor had worn the diadem(crown).

• One day when Alex had left the royal throne at Babylon and One day when Alex had left the royal throne at Babylon and man sat on it. The prophets also demanded that he be man sat on it. The prophets also demanded that he be executedexecuted

Alexander’s deathAlexander’s death

June 10, in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar, In Babylon, 323 BC

He was aged 32

His exact cause of death is unknown Maybe pneumonia, malaria, alcoholic poisoning, or food poisoning No one will ever know for sure

His troops all paid their last respects to him when they realised he was deteriorating

After After AlexanderAlexander

After Alexander After Alexander died, his generals died, his generals jockeyed for power jockeyed for power and by 275 they and by 275 they had divided up his had divided up his kingdom into three kingdom into three large stateslarge states

GreeceGreece EgyptEgypt Asia minorAsia minor

The period of The period of Alexander and his Alexander and his successors is called successors is called the Hellenistic the Hellenistic period to reflect the period to reflect the broad influence of broad influence of Greek culture Greek culture beyond Greece’s beyond Greece’s bordersborders

LEGACYLEGACY Brilliant general and leaderBrilliant general and leader

Seems at time to be a hero come Seems at time to be a hero come to life from one of Homer’s poemsto life from one of Homer’s poems

Major contribution was the Major contribution was the destruction of the Persian Empiredestruction of the Persian Empire Opened the door for the Opened the door for the

penetration of Greek culture into penetration of Greek culture into the Middle East the Middle East

Big weakness was lack of concern for Big weakness was lack of concern for administrative mattersadministrative matters Liked to conquer, not consolidateLiked to conquer, not consolidate Liked to fight, not governLiked to fight, not govern Empire died with him as a resultEmpire died with him as a result

Virtually guaranteed by absence Virtually guaranteed by absence of any sort of centralized of any sort of centralized administrative structureadministrative structure

C:\Documents and Settings\C:\Documents and Settings\JRadichJRadich\My Documents\my content off schoo\My Documents\my content off school network\from l network\from ayeshaayesha\iron maiden - \iron maiden - alexanderalexander the great.mp3 the great.mp3

1.56minutes1.56minutes

Alexander The Great[356 - 323 BC] Alexander The Great[356 - 323 BC]

My son, ask for thyself another kingdom, My son, ask for thyself another kingdom, For that which I leave is too small for thee.For that which I leave is too small for thee.

Near to the east, in a part of ancient Greece,Near to the east, in a part of ancient Greece,In an ancient land called Macedonia,In an ancient land called Macedonia,Was born a son to Philip of Macedon,Was born a son to Philip of Macedon,The legend his name was Alexander.The legend his name was Alexander.

At the age of nineteen, he became the Macedon king, At the age of nineteen, he became the Macedon king,

And swore to free all of Asia Minor, And swore to free all of Asia Minor, By the Aegian sea in 334 BC, By the Aegian sea in 334 BC,

He utterly beat the armies of Persia.He utterly beat the armies of Persia.

Chorus: Chorus: Alexander the Great, Alexander the Great,

His name struck fear into hearts of men, His name struck fear into hearts of men, Alexander the Great, Alexander the Great,

Became a legend ‘mongst mortal men.Became a legend ‘mongst mortal men.

King Darius the third, defeated fled Persia, King Darius the third, defeated fled Persia, The Scythians fell by the river Jaxartes, The Scythians fell by the river Jaxartes,

Then Egypt fell to the Macedon king as well, Then Egypt fell to the Macedon king as well, And he founded the city called Alexandria.And he founded the city called Alexandria.

By the Tigris River, he met King Darius again, By the Tigris River, he met King Darius again, And crushed him again in the battle of Arbela, And crushed him again in the battle of Arbela,

Entering Babylon and Susa, treasures he found, Entering Babylon and Susa, treasures he found, Took Persepolis, the capital of Persia.Took Persepolis, the capital of Persia.



Became a God amongst mortal men.Became a God amongst mortal men.

A Phrygian king had bound a chariot yoke, A Phrygian king had bound a chariot yoke, And Alexander cut the Gordian knot, And Alexander cut the Gordian knot,

And legend said that who untied the knot; And legend said that who untied the knot; He would become the master of Asia.He would become the master of Asia.

`Hellenism he spread far and wide, `Hellenism he spread far and wide, The Macedonian learned mind, The Macedonian learned mind,

Their culture was a western way of life, Their culture was a western way of life, He paved the way for Christianity.He paved the way for Christianity.

Marching on, marching on.Marching on, marching on.

The battle weary marching side by side, The battle weary marching side by side, Alexander’s army line by line, Alexander’s army line by line,

They wouldn’t follow him to India, They wouldn’t follow him to India, Tired of the combat, pain and the glory.Tired of the combat, pain and the glory.



He died of fever in Babylon.He died of fever in Babylon.

Alexander EssaysAlexander Essays

Candidates who focused on the specific requirements of questions (for example, by highlighting or underlining key words) tended to answer questions more directly and accurately.

Unsuccessful Candidates sometimes showed evidence of learning, but were not able to apply their knowledge carefully. It is particularly important in 90513, the essay standard, that material is shaped to fit the question(s) set.

Candidates who achieved this standard most commonly demonstrated the following skills and /

or knowledge:

ability to answer in essay format: they used the planning page and provided a structured response, although sometimes expression was stilted or weak

had sufficient understanding of the topic chosen to respond to most points adequately, particularly the bullet points, although often an aspect of the question was overlooked or omitted

ability to recall sufficient topic knowledge to back up general statements to some extent

some familiarity with secondary texts and either a basic knowledge of primary sources or at least an awareness of source material.

Candidates who did not achieve this standard lacked some or all of the skills and knowledge

required for Achievement. They also commonly:

• answered less than half the question, providing little appropriate detail

• failed to structure their essay and had poor language skills

• misunderstood or did not read the question carefully or wrote off the topic to fill out their essay with irrelevant detail

lacked sufficient knowledge of topic content to sustain an essay response

were unfamiliar with primary source material or unable to integrate primary source evidence into their answer.

In addition to the skills and knowledge required for Achievement, candidates who achieved

the standard with Merit or Excellence commonly: wrote a well organised essay and expressed themselves

fluently and clearly

addressed all aspects of the question and showed a comprehensive knowledge of the topic content

integrated clear, pertinent references to primary and often secondary source material into their argument

explained events and processes, but also went on to analyse the material they were addressing.

Let’s practice!Let’s practice!

TOPIC ONE: ALEXANDER THE GREATTOPIC ONE: ALEXANDER THE GREATAnswer Answer ONE ONE of the following questions of the following questions in essay in essay

formatformat..You should:You should:•• demonstrate knowledge of important historical demonstrate knowledge of important historical

figures, ideas, and eventsfigures, ideas, and events•• provide evidence from primary source material* provide evidence from primary source material*

to support your argument.to support your argument.*Primary source material could include literary, art *Primary source material could include literary, art

historical, and archaeological evidence.historical, and archaeological evidence.

EITHER:EITHER:(a)(a) The second, and decisive, battle between Alexander the Great and Darius III took The second, and decisive, battle between Alexander the Great and Darius III took

place in 331 BC, at Gaugamela, on an extensive plain in what is now modern Iraq. place in 331 BC, at Gaugamela, on an extensive plain in what is now modern Iraq. Discuss:Discuss:•• the challenges faced by Alexander at this battlethe challenges faced by Alexander at this battle•• the tactics that he used to achieve victorythe tactics that he used to achieve victory•• the reasons for his failure to kill or capture Darius.the reasons for his failure to kill or capture Darius.What were the consequences of defeat at Gaugamela for Darius? What were the consequences of defeat at Gaugamela for Darius?

OR:OR:(b)(b) “The Spartan Damis said, ‘As Alexander wants to be a god, let him be one.’ ” “The Spartan Damis said, ‘As Alexander wants to be a god, let him be one.’ ”

((PlutarchPlutarch) ) Discuss the religious beliefs that Alexander may have held about his own superhuman Discuss the religious beliefs that Alexander may have held about his own superhuman

nature, with particular reference to:nature, with particular reference to:•• his legendary ancestors his legendary ancestors •• his consultation of the oracle at the oasis of Siwahhis consultation of the oracle at the oasis of Siwah•• the visit of the sacred envoys to Babylon in 323 BC.the visit of the sacred envoys to Babylon in 323 BC.What was the political and / or military significance of Alexander’s attitude towards his What was the political and / or military significance of Alexander’s attitude towards his

own superhuman, or divine, status?own superhuman, or divine, status?

OR:OR:(c)(c) Despite Aristotle’s teaching that the Greeks were vastly superior to barbarians, Despite Aristotle’s teaching that the Greeks were vastly superior to barbarians,

Alexander chose to take up a number of Persian customs and ceremonies. Alexander chose to take up a number of Persian customs and ceremonies. Discuss: Discuss: •• the Persian practices adopted by Alexander, with particular reference to court ritual the Persian practices adopted by Alexander, with particular reference to court ritual

and the act of and the act of proskynesisproskynesis •• the reasons for Alexander’s use of Persian customs and ceremoniesthe reasons for Alexander’s use of Persian customs and ceremonies•• the impact that the adoption of these practices had on Alexander’s relationship with the impact that the adoption of these practices had on Alexander’s relationship with

the historian Callisthenes.the historian Callisthenes.To what extent was Alexander’s ‘orientalism’ limited to ceremonial court practices?To what extent was Alexander’s ‘orientalism’ limited to ceremonial court practices?

Tips for Alexander essaysTips for Alexander essays Introductions should start with an Introductions should start with an

interesting, original thought or sentence or interesting, original thought or sentence or question about Alexander with reference question about Alexander with reference to the question. You should then refer to to the question. You should then refer to all parts of the question and hints at the all parts of the question and hints at the stance that you will take in the essaystance that you will take in the essay

Each paragraph should address a different Each paragraph should address a different aspect of the question aspect of the question

The first paragraph should discuss the The first paragraph should discuss the setting – explain where Alexander is in his setting – explain where Alexander is in his journey, what year it is and what has journey, what year it is and what has happened before this eventhappened before this event

The next paragraph should begin to answer the The next paragraph should begin to answer the first part of the question – as in English, you first part of the question – as in English, you need to have a discussion point or statement, need to have a discussion point or statement, give an explanation about what this means and give an explanation about what this means and why, then provide quotes from Primary (Arrian, why, then provide quotes from Primary (Arrian, plutarch etc.)or Secondary (J.R Hamilton/ Paul plutarch etc.)or Secondary (J.R Hamilton/ Paul Artus) sources to back up what you are saying.Artus) sources to back up what you are saying.

Each paragraph should follow the format above Each paragraph should follow the format above until you have addressed all parts of the until you have addressed all parts of the questionquestion

The conclusion needs to summarise each point The conclusion needs to summarise each point that you have discussed and make connections that you have discussed and make connections to the question to show that you have answered to the question to show that you have answered it. A good way to finish is to leave the reader it. A good way to finish is to leave the reader with a final thought or a quote or a summary of with a final thought or a quote or a summary of Alexander as a person and how he has made a Alexander as a person and how he has made a lasting impact.lasting impact.

Let’s create an essay Let’s create an essay planplan

Despite Aristotle’s teaching that the Greeks were vastly Despite Aristotle’s teaching that the Greeks were vastly superior to barbarians, Alexander chose to take up a superior to barbarians, Alexander chose to take up a number of Persian customs and ceremonies. number of Persian customs and ceremonies.

Discuss: Discuss: •• the Persian practices adopted by Alexander, with the Persian practices adopted by Alexander, with

particular reference to court ritual and the act of particular reference to court ritual and the act of proskynesisproskynesis

•• the reasons for Alexander’s use of Persian customs and the reasons for Alexander’s use of Persian customs and ceremoniesceremonies

•• the impact that the adoption of these practices had on the impact that the adoption of these practices had on Alexander’s relationship with the historian Callisthenes.Alexander’s relationship with the historian Callisthenes.

To what extent was Alexander’s ‘orientalism’ limited to To what extent was Alexander’s ‘orientalism’ limited to ceremonial court practices?ceremonial court practices?