Alexander 1

When was Alexander born and what events are supposed to have happened on the same day?

356BC.

2. Burning of Temple of Artemis, Ephesus

3. Father Philip hears of big military victory

4. And of victory of horse at Olympia

Who were Alexander's teachers? What did each teach him? (3)

Leonidas - Physical Toughness, Discipline

Lysimachus - music, poetry

Aristotle - Politics, Ethics

How did Alexander tame Bucephalus and what did his father say?

1. Spotting it was afraid if its own shadow

2. Find yourself another kingdom, Macedon is too small for you

What does the horse taming suggest about Alexander's character?(2)

1. He publicly defied King Philip - claiming he could handle it

2. He liked risk - he bet him 13 talents he could handle it

What family problems did Alexander experience when young?(2)

1. Philip married another wife, fathering another male

2 with mother Olympias Alexander moved away to Epirus till shortly before Philip's assassination

When did Alexander become king? How old was he?

336BC

20

How many troops did Alexander lead into Asia?

35000

What formation did Philip and Alexander's infantry companions use?

Why was this effective?

1 Phalanx

2 tightly packed formation 8-men deep - keep enemy engaged in the centre

What is the name for the long pike which Alexander and Philip's armies used?

The Sarissa

What were his elite infantry troops called?

Hypaspists

Lightly armed, mobile

What part of the army did Alexander fight in? What was their role?

Cavalry companions

Exploit gaps in enemy line

Who was Alexander's closest friend who ran round Achilles' Tomb at Troy naked with him?

Hephaistion

What happened at the battle of the River Granicus in 334BC? (4)

1. Parmenio advised to wait till next day

2. Alexander refused to let little river stop him

3. He crossed with cavalry and speared Darius' son in law

4. He looked after wounded and the deceased's families

Where did Alexander encounter the famous knot?

What was foretold about whoever could untie it?

How did he untie it?

Gordium

Lord of Asia

Slashed through it