Name: ____________________________

Alexander the Great

Revision Booklet

Topic 1 - Alexander’s background and upbringing

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Alexander’s youth has a range of notable events, which hint at how special he will become and how important he was as
a child. An example of an event that hinted at how special he would become was when he tamed the horse Bucephalus,
and an example of his importance as a child is that he was taught by the famous philosopher, Aristotle. His special nature
was also supposedly hinted at with the rumours surrounding his conception and incidents while his mother, Olympias,
was pregnant with him.
TASK: complete the spider diagram, summarising the important events from Alexander’s youth, that all hinted he was
to go on and become someone important. Make sure to note how each event foreshadows his greatness when he is an
adult.

The taming of Bucephalus Teaching from Aristotle

- Plutarch 6 – Plutarch 7/8

Events in
Alexander’s youth

Events while Olympias

was pregnant – Plutarch His conception – Plutarch
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Alexander’s relationship with his parents; Olympias and Phillip

The relationship Alexander had with his parents dominates the history of his youth/ upbringing. If Plutarch is to be
believed then these two figures had a hugely significant impact on his life, both negative and positive. Positives =
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bringing him up to believe in his own divinity and therefore create a confident leader. Negatives = challenging
relationship with his father that lead to an emotional rift between them.

TASK: complete the table on Alexander’s relationship with his parents, focusing on HISTORICAL EXAMPLES that
support the point you’re making.

Examples of positive relationship Examples of a negative relationship

Phillip II of
Macedonian –
father (Plutarch
7)

Olympias –
mother (Plutarch
2)

Alexander’s belief in his own divinity (divinity = connected/related to the gods)

A really important element to consider, when looking at Alexander’s background before he goes off and conquerors
Persia in 334BC, is that he already had a very strong relationship with the divine before he left. In many way, he had
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started to believe the rumours surrounding his conception/ his mother’s pregnancy, and he looked to connect
himself to the Gods. It would seem as though he liked the idea he was a bit divine himself. He certainly looked to the
gods for answers during his campaign in Persia.

TASK: read up on the events listed below, and annotate the diagram with information of what happened at that
event, AND how it shows that Alexander had a strong relationship/ preoccupation with divinity. For each event, you
have been given an ancient source to reference.

#1 Alexander
visits Troy as he
invade Persia -
Arrian 1.11

Alexander is
presented on
Alexander's Alexander
the silver belief in his mocks up a
battle before
Tetradachm -
silver
own fighting Darius -
Tretradachm Divinity Plutarch 31

Alexander
conquers
Aornos Rock -
Arrian 4.28

BONUS!
Google Alexander and the Gordian Knot,
The Battle of Chaeronea for another example of Alexander’s
supposedly divine status
Moving on from his younger years, as Alexander became a teenager (but still in his youth!) he won a major
victory in the Battle of Chaeronea. This was such a significant victory for Alexander, as it came when he was
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only 16 years old, and had been left in charge of Macedonia, as regent, while his father was on an
expedition to Byzantium.
It could be argued that the sources include this battle as further evidence that Alexander was already
demonstrating incredible military skills at a young age, therefore showing that he would become a great
leader later on.
TASK: using pages 249-250 from the textbook, and Plutarch 9, complete the flow chart on the main events
of the battle of Chaeronea. Focus on detail that shows Alexander to be impressive and capable. It is
foreshadowing!!

The assassination of Phillip II

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Alexander’s world was changed dramatically when his father was assassinated as a wedding celebration in
336BC. From our sources, it is recorded that Phillip was killed by his bodyguard, Pausanias, but there also
seems to be a bigger question as to whether Phillip’ murder was organised by someone else. Either way,
the death of Phillip was a HUGE point in Alexander’s youth and his background before going on campaign
in Persia.
TASK: read Diodorus 16.91-16.94 and p.267-269 of the textbook, summarise the events of the
assassination of Phillip II into 8 bullet points.

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Reasons why Alexander invaded Persia in 334BC

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An easy question for you to be asked by the examiner, is why Alexander decided to invade Persia in 334BC.
This could easily be turned in a 10 mark question. E.g. Explain the reasons why Alexander chose to invade
Persia in 334BC? (10)
TASK: using p.255-256, fill the triangle diagram with 3 reasons why Alexander chose to invade Persia in
334BC. You must order these in terms of significance, most significant at the top, to least significant at the
bottom.

#1

#2

#3

Topic 2 – Alexander as a military leader

To understand how Alexander was able to be such a successful military leader, and in being so, take over the Persian
empire, you will need to be able to understand how different parts of his army worked. You could well be asked an
exam question on parts of his military, and why it was they were so effective, or how useful specific parts of the
military were and why.

The Macedonian Cavalry

The cavalry was one of the most important parts of Alexander’s military and a powerhouse of ancient
warfare. It is important that you understand the features of different parts of the cavalry.
TASK: using the internet, and Arrian 1.13-16 (account of Alexander’s first battle at the Granicus), Arrian 3.13-15
(account of Alexander’s 3rd battle at Gaugamela) and Plutarch 33 (account of Alexander’s 3rd battle at
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Gaugamela). Annotate the diagram with features of the different types of cavalry, and examples of when
they were useful in battles for Alexander.

The Alexander Sarcophagus was commissioned by a Persian noble, Mazaeus, either during Alexander’s
lifetime or just after his death (4th century BC). It was discovered in Sidon in modern day Libya in the 1800s
and is now displayed at the Istanbul Museum in Turkey.

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If you study the images carved on to the sarcophagus, it is clear that the cavalry are being glorified as
playing a major role in defeating a Persian army. – you can spot the Persians by their hats and trousers!
TASK: study the images of the Sarcophagus, which is one of your prescribed sources, and answer the
practise exam question.

EXAM PRACTISE

What can we learn from the Alexander Sarcophagus about the role of the
Macedonian Cavalry in Alexander’s military campaigns? (5)

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The Macedonian Phalanx and other troops
Easily the most famous part of Alexanader’s army, and perhaps the most significant reason as to why it was
successful in taking over the Persian empire, is the Macedonian Phalanx. This was a military formation that
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was actually developed and perfected by his father, Phillip II, but Alexander used it to great effect during
his campaign in Persia. You should be able to explain WHY the Macedonian Phalanx was so good, and
WHEN Alexander used it to his advantage in battle!
TASK: using p.280-281 and Arrian and Plutarch, annotate the diagram with the key features, strengths and
weaknesses of the Macedonian Phalanx

The use of specialist troops – Agraines and Hypaspists

The Macedonian phalanx was further supported by a range of infantry, and in particular, two forms of
specialised troops that added extra threat and ability to the Macedonian army.

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TASK: using p.281-282 of the textbook, complete the table summarising the strengths and weaknesses of
the specialised Macedonian troops.

Key features of armour and Strengths Weaknesses or limitations

weaponry
Agraines

Hypaspists

Passage A

When the cavalry who had been sent to help against the Persians, who were encircling the right wing, had
broken their frontline to some extent, Alexander turned through the gap and made a wedge formation with the
companion cavalry and the part of the main phalanx stationed there, and then led them at a run with a full battle
cry straight at Darius himself.

For a short time there was hand-to-hand fighting; but when the cavalry around Alexander and Alexander himself
pressed strongly on the Persians, thrusting them back and striking their faces with their spears, and the dense
Macedonian phalanx, bristling with pikes, had already fully engaged with them, Darius himself, who had now
been terrified for a long time, could only see dreadful things around him and was the first to turn and flee;

Arrian, 3.14
EXAM PRACTISE
What can we learn from passage A about the importance of the Macedonian
Phalanx in Alexander’s military campaigns? (5)
OR
How significant was the Macedonian Phalanx to the success of Alexander’s
military campaign in Persia? (10)

The Battle of Granicus

The first major battle that Alexander fights against Darius III, king of Persia, is the battle of Granicus in
334BC. Alexander starts his invasion of Persia by performing a religious ritual at the site of the battle of
troy, in northern Turkey, to show that he respects the gods and hopes to be like the legendary figure,
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Achilles. He then moves on to meet Darius at Granicus, and although Alexander wins, he is disappointed
that Darius escapes the battle alive.
Arrian’s account of the battle gives us good examples of a; Alexander military leadership, and b; how the
different parts of the Macedonian army work together in battle.
TASK: using Arrian 1.14-1.16 and p. complete a flow chart of events to summarise the battle of Granicus.

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TASK: Read p.256-257, and answer the practise exam question below.

Passage A

Alexander sent Parmenio to take control of the left wing, while he (Alexander) went along with his forces to the
right. He had already put in position number of commanders.

On the right there was Philotas, in charge of the companion cavalry, the archers and the Agrianian javelin men;
next to him was Amyntas, who was in charge of the lancers, and the squadron of Socrates. Next were the royal
guards, under the leadership of Nicanor; then the phalanx of Perdiccas, the son of Orontes, and next to that, the
troops led by Coenus, and finally on the right wing the phalanx led by Philip, son of Amyntas.

On the left wing, the Thessalian cavalry were positioned first, under the leadership of Calas, son of Harpalus, and
next to them the allied cavalry, commanded by Philip; then Agathon led the Thracian contingent; beyond them
were infantry battalions, the phalanx of Craterus, then those of Meleager and Philip, right up to the middle of the
whole battle line.

Arrian 1.14

Using details from passage A, evaluate how accurate you think Arrian’s
account of events is? (5)

The Battle of Gaugamela – October 1, 331BC

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It was at the battle of Gaugamela that Alexander finally defeated Darius II, and although Alexander did not
manage to kill Darius in battle (the king was later killed by one of his own noblemen), winning the battle
did mean that Alexander had technically taken the Persian Empire!
Both sides knew how important the battle was going to be, particularly after Alexander had already won
the Battle of Granicus, so both sides prepared themselves for Gaugamela.
TASK: read Arrian 3.9 – 3.11, complete the table summarising how each side prepared for the battle of
Gaugamela.

Persian preparations for the battle Macedonian preparations for the battle

TASK: using Google and Arrian 3.11-12 and Plutarch 31-33. Complete the flow chart on the events of the
battle of Gaugamela. Focus on; Persian weaknesses/ tactical errors and Alexander’s tactical brilliance.

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EXAM PRACTISE
How far did the Battle of Granicus differ from the Battle of
 Gaugamela (10)

Name: ____________________________

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Siege of Tyre, and the siege of Aornus Rock

Once his Macedonian army had conquered the Persian forces at the battle of Gaugamela, Alexander
continued to journey further into the Persian Empire, to cement his control of the new empire and explore
the lands.
This lead to two event, the siege of (1) Tyre and Aornus Rock (2). Both these events are excellent examples
of where Alexander’s leadership and military tactics enabled him to have huge success. The successful
siege of Aornus Rock gave Alexander an almost god-like quality, as the rock supposedly been too much for
even Hercules to lift.
TASK: using p.284-286 and Arrian 2.24 for Tyre, and Arrian 2.23-2.30 for Aornus Rock, complete the
comparison tale on these two events.

Siege of Tyre Siege of Aornus Rock

Why did
Alexander want/
need it?

What challenges
does that siege
present?

How did
Alexander
successfully siege
it?

How did this

event prove
Alexander’s
exceptional
military
leadership?

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Alexander and his relationship with his men

Our ancient source record Alexander as a leader with a very positive relationship with his men. As a leader
he inspired great loyalty and love in his men, who looked upon Alexander as a truly capable leader.
A major reason as to why his men felt this way about him was because Alexander regularly made it clear
how important they were to him! Both the battles of Granicus and Gaugamela have significant examples of
Alexander showing care and devotion to his own soldiers.
TASK: using the suggested readings from the ancient sources, complete the table summarising Alexander’s
relationship with his men.

What did Alexander do Quote to support this HOW does that demonstrate
that showed he cared for observation. Alexander cared for his men/
his men? was a good leader?

Arrian 1.16

Plutarch
31

Arrian 3.10

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Topic 3 – Alexander’s character and personality

Alexander’s burning of Persepolis
Once Alexander had defeated Darius at the Battle of Gaugamela, he had technically taken control of the
Persian empire, so he decided to move on to the capital of the empire, Persepolis. As you know from your
study of the Persian Kings, Persepolis was a beautiful palace and administrative centre built by Darius I and
finished by Xerxes I.
According to the sources, Alexander held a huge celebration and feast once he arrived, but ultimately he
became incredibly drunk. Both Arrian and Plutarch agree that Alexander decided to burn down the palace
while he was drunk, but they disagree on the reasons behind this decision.
TASK: read Arrian 3.18 and Plutarch 38, complete the Venn diagram summarising the different accounts of
the burning of Persepolis. THINK ABOUT WHAT THIS SHOWS US OF HIS CHARACTER!

Plutarch 38

Similarities in
their accounts

Arrian 3.18

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The Pursuit of Darius and the role of Bessus

We can learn a lot about Alexander’s character from his obsession with Darius and taking the throne of
Persia. Looking back at the events of the battle of Gaugamela, it is clear that Alexander had an almost
single-minded obsession with killing Darius himself, and we can see that he pushes his troops very heavily
to get to Darius.
This obsession would continue even after Darius fled the battle field and Alexander won the throne by
default.
TASK: read the passage below and answer the quick exam question.

When Darius engaged with the whole of the battle line, Alexander ordered Aretas to attack those of the Persian cavalry
who were riding around the right wing to encircled him; . . . he turned through the gap and made a wedge formation
with the companion cavalry and the part of the main phalanx stationed there, and then led them at a run with a full
battle cry straight at Darius himself. For a short time there was hand-to-hand fighting; but when the cavalry around
Alexander and Alexander himself pressed strongly on the Persians, thrusting them back and striking their faces with their
spears, and the dense Macedonian phalanx, bristling with pikes, had already fully engaged with them, Darius himself,
who had now been terrified for a long time, could only see dreadful things around him and was the first to turn and flee;
those of the Persians who were riding round the right wing were also thrown into abject terror when those with Aretas
attacked forcefully. It was at this point that the rout of the Persians became general, and the Macedonians, following
after them, began to slaughter those fleeing. But the men with Simmias were no longer able to keep up with Alexander
in the pursuit, as they were fighting where they stood, because it was reported that the left wing of the Macedonians
was in trouble.

EXAM PRACTISE Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander. 3.14

What can we learn from the passage about Alexander’s attitude towards
Darius? (5)
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Darius fled from Alexander and his advancing army, first he stopped at the Persian city of Ecbatana, and
then moved further towards India by hiding at Bactria.
However, it was Alexander who was Darius’ only serious threat at this time; as the retreat became more
desperate Darius’ own generals began to turn against him, and one general named Bessus started a coup
against the King and removed him from the throne. Bessus then proclaimed himself King.
TASK: using p.260-262, use the ‘winding path’ as a type of timeline, summarise the stages of Alexander’s
pursuit of Darius and Darius’ eventual death at the hands of Bessus.

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The Indus Valley – The Battle of Hydaspes

Alexander’s army was involved in a number of battles during his conquest of India. This included the Siege
of the Aornus Rock and also the Battle of the Hydaspes. The Battle of the Hydaspes took place near the
Hydaspes River in India. In it Alexander and the Greeks faced a huge Indian army under the command of
King Porus. It was a ferocious battle (some sources say it was Alexander’s hardest). A particular threat to
the Greeks were the Indian war elephants.
After the success at Hydaspes, Alexander’s troops mutinied against him and refused to go any further
Eastwards, they demanded to return home.
TASK: research the events of the battle of Hydaspes and complete the flow chart summarising the events.
Make sure to include the events and outcomes of the mutiny!

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Name: ____________________________

EXAM PRACTISE
How had Alexander’s relationship with his men changed by the Battle of
Hydaspes in 326BC, compared to the beginning of the Persian campaign?
(10)

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The difficult return to Babylon

After his troops had mutinied at Hydaspes, Alexander had promised that they would return Westwards,
and began the treck back to the base in Babylon. There were a number of routes he could have chosen, but
historians are baffled as to why he chose to travel back through the Gedrosia Desert. This dry and harsh
environment was not ideal for long distance travel, and made the journey incredibly difficult.
TASK: annotate the map and picture of the Gedrosia desert with notes on WHY this was such a poor
decision and experiences the army suffered during their time there. Use the extracts of Arrian to help you.

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Arrian on Alexander’s desire to travel from the Gedrosia Desert

Nearchus asserts that Alexander pursued this route, not from ignorance of the difficulty of the journey, but because he
heard that no one had ever passed that way with an army and emerged in safety from the desert, except Semiramis,
when she fled from India. The natives said that even she emerged with only twenty men of her army. For they say that
Cyrus (the son of Cambyses) also marched into this region for the purpose of invading India; but that he did retreat after
losing the greater part of his army, from the desert and the other difficulties of this route.

When Alexander received this information he was seized with a desire of excelling Cyrus and Semiramis. Nearchus says
that he turned his march this way, both for this reason and at the same time for the purpose of finding provisions for
the fleet.

Arrian, Anabasis, 6.24

Arrian on the experiences of the army in the Gedrosia Desert

The soldiers killed many of the pack animals of their own accord; for when provisions were lacking, they came together,
and slaughtered most of the horses and mules. They ate the flesh of these, and said that they had died of thirst or had
perished from the heat…

Thus some people were left behind along the roads because of sickness, others from fatigue or the effects of the heat, or
from not being able to bear up against the drought; and there was no one either to show them the way or to remain
and tend to them…

On one occasion, when the army rested near a fast-following river, on about the second watch of the night the river was
suddenly swelled by the rains in the mountains which had fallen unnoticed by the soldiers. The torrent advanced with so
great a flood as to destroy most of the wives and children of the men who followed the army, and to sweep away all the
royal baggage as well as all the beasts of burden still remaining.

Arrian, Anabasis, 6.25

Alexander’s policy of Fusion.

Now that he had conquered the Persian Empire, Alexander wanted to build a brotherhood of mankind by
‘fusing’ Greek/ Macedonian and Persia cultures together. There were a range of ways he did this, but it
was an incredibly unpopular move with his Macedonian generals, who felt that they were above the
Persians and should not be made to be on equal terms. – which is what fusion wanted them to be.
Plutarch argues that Alexander did this so that the Persian’s would see him as their king, rather than a
conqueror.
TASK: complete the table on the following page, summarising the different features of fusion, and
explaining how each one was potentially or actively problematic for the Macedonian generals. Read Arrian
4.9-4.11!

EXAM PRACTISE
Explain why the policy of fusion was rejected by Alexander’s
Macedonian generals? (10)
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Example of a policy How this would help Why the Macedonian generals
Alexander been seen as a King, did not like this policy
not conqueror, by the Persians

Alexander’s relationship with his companions

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Alexander’s relationship with his companions is an essential part of the story of Alexander the Great, and is
an incredibly useful way to study his character.
His companions are his closest friends who journey with him on his campaign through Persia. They become
his main generals, advisors, and in the case of Hephaestion, his lover. As the campaign goes on, and the
troops become increasingly weary of constant travelling Eastwards, the relationship with some
companions becomes tense. As Alexander introduces his policy of Fusion, some of the relationships
actively break down.
TASK: using the following readings, complete the spider diagram on the final page, summarising
Alexander’s relationship with each of his companions. You should also use the lessons that have been put
on the google classroom!
Pamernio = Arrian 1.13, Arrian 3.10, Plutarch 32-33 Plutarch 32-33
Cleitus = Plutarch 50 and 51
Antipater = Plutarch 74
Callisthenes = textbook p.252
Hephaestion = Arrian 1.12, Arrian 3.15 and Arrian 7.14

For each companion you should include positives, negatives and any untimely deaths!

EXAM PRACTISE
How far did Alexander’s relationship with Callisthenes differ from
that of Parmenio? (10)

EXAM PRACTISE
‘The most significant relationship between Alexander and his companions,
was the one between him and Parmenio’. How far do you agree with this
view?
You must use and analyse the ancient sources you have studied as well as
supporting your answer with your own knowledge. (20)

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Hephaestion

Cleitus

Antipater

Alexander’s
relationship with his
Companions

Callisthenes

Parmenio

The Death of Alexander

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Alexander in died Babylon, in 323BC, aged just 32. He died without an heir, and this lead to his empire
being split up between his three main generals – one of which was Ptolemy, who would go on to begin the
Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt!
Arrian and Plutarch both cover Alexander’s death, but they give different versions of events and Plutarch
seems particularly suspicious of his untimely death.
TASK: read Arrian 7.24-7.25 and Plutarch 75-77, and complete the table summarising their story of the
death of Alexander.

Plutarch’s version. 75-77 Arrian’s version 7.24-7.25

Which account of Alexander’s death do you consider to be the most accurate

(factually correct), and why?
Use your knowledge of the historians to support your answer.

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