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Alexander the Great -- Book Questions

Terms in this set (45)

How did author describe Spartan society?
Fearsome place run by oligarchic families who instituted a military state
The author said the Spartans viewed themselves as the "True Greeks"... Why did they see themselves as such?
They incorporated austerity, denial, simplicity, and self-discipline into both private and civil life
How could Philip of Macedonia's rule be descried?
Like an autocrat (subject to few political restraints)
What was the description of the Macedonian society given by the author?
"A wild country, socially closer to the Balkans than to Athens"
At the time of Phillip & Darius III, in what way was Persian Empire governed?
By Satraps (Imperial Governors)
What 19th-20th cent. was the Persian Empire compared to?
British Empire
In which region was Kabbalah founded and by which religious scholar?
Western Europe // Rabbi Philo
How does the author compare the distinct differences in the rise to power of Alexander as opposed to that of Julius Caesar?
Alexander wanted war just to fight while Caesar used it constantly as military tactics to get what he wanted
What type of cult did Alexander's mother Olympias belong to?
Snake-Worshippers
Describe the relationship Alexander had with his mother?
He loved her deeply & was sexually attracted to her but never wanted to actually be in her demanding presence
How was this relationship compared to his father?
The relationship between him and his father was also tense because the two were opposites
Alexander founded a city on the Hydaspes River? For what purpose and what did he name it?
He named the city Bucephala after his mighty steed that he tamed that no one else could
Outline the nature of the relationship of Alexander and Hephaestion? What did the latter's death possibly contribute to?
They were people who truly loved each other. It was like they were soulmates and always depended on each other. It contributed to Alexander's death.
Describe how homosexuality was viewed in ancient Greece and Rome, Outline the positive and negative effect it had on Sparta?
- For Greeks, it was almost like a traditional, long-standing condition & is also a theorized result of rigorous military training
- Homosexuality led to the sharp decline in population
There were two scenarios put forth as to why Phillip was assassinated. Describe them?
One scenario is that Philips ex-lover was gangbanged by Attalus and Philip didn't help him so Pausanius got his revenge and murked Philip
The other scenario is where it was an arranged murder by Olympias & Alexander over the throne
Explain the Oedipal paradigm outlined for Alexander, Phillip, and Olympias.
Because of the fact that his parents were sexy, aggressive, and bold there was a "sexual triangle embedded in the unconscious" and stuff vomit sounds
Who eventually did Alexander marry and produce a legitimate heir with?
Roxane
What was to be Roxane & their heir's fate upon Alexander's death?
Roxane, their heir, and Olympias were all merked by the new Macedonian strongman, Cassander
What legacy puzzle left by King Gordias did Alexander solve? How did he solve it?
A knot that had to untied was cut/untied by Alexander
Why did Alexander begin to view himself as the offspring of a god? Which god was it ?
A prophet had a terrible accent and mixed up "Oh son" with "God's son" // Zeus
Alexander's death has been attributed to what possible sources? What source is most believed to have caused it?
Acute alcoholism, malaria, typhoid, poisoning //
Poisoning
After the conference of the Hellenic league was over, who did Alexander visit , what was said and the response of Alexander as a result of the visit?
Diogenes // Alex gave a formal greeting to the tanning Diogenes who was like EXCUSE ME BRO ur bLoCkInG tHe sUn and then Alex's people started belittling Diogenes until Alex was like "StOp!! If I wasn't Alex, I'd be Diogones"
What did Alexander have his mother do to his father's last wife Cleopatra and her daughter, against which Greek city state did he go to war? What was the political result?
Alexander had his mother kill Cleopatra and her daughter //
He went to war against Thebes //
The political result was a rebellion of the stubborn Thebans
What type of military unit did the Macedonians, under Alexander, use extensively that the later Romans did not? Why were they different approaches?
Calvary //
The Romans couldn't afford the horses because they didn't have enough men
The heavily armed infantry of the Macedonians was called what?
Hypaspists
What strategic blunders did Darius commit before and after Alexander crossed the Dardanelles straits into Persia?
He believed in his small group of underdogs so much that he believed that he didn't need to expand, which was wrong.
What policy did Darius's general Memonon advise? Who opposed him and what were the consequences?
"Scorched-earth" policy
The persian lords; lots of cities of Asia minor surrendered
How did Alexander win the battle of Granicus?
He used his calvary as a disruptive force aimed directly at the Persians
What did he do with the Greeks he captured?
He rounded them up and made them work as slaves in mines
What woman from Halicanassus did Alexander liberate from Darius, How would their subsequent relationship be described?
Ada and she easily replaced Olympia as Alexander's mother
What happened to Alexander after he entered the city of Tarus and went swimming?
He suffered a cramp and had a convulsion (omg bro what) apparently he was simultaneously fighting bronchitis too, how wild. Oh no he got pneumonia, Dude went into a coma, on the third day he rose again
At what battle was Darius finally defeated
Battle of Issus
Who did Alexander capture after the Battle of Issus
Darius III's mom, wife, and two daughters
Which city did Alexander lay siege to in order to neutralize the Persian navy, what tactic did he use to defeat the city?
Tyre
THey built a causeway so they could attack on land with catapults and had naval help from other cities in the area
Describe the second and final battle between Darius and Alexander?
It's described as one of the most decisive battles in history.
What was the end result of the last battle between Darius & Alexander?
In the end, all the wealth of Babylon, Susa, and Persepolis was opened up to Alexander
How did Darius die?
He was stabbed with javelins just like his oxen who were pulling his cart & then left to die alone, but was found too late by a Macedonian
How did Alexander respond to Darius's death?
Alexander was truly distressed over it so he put his robe on Darius's body and gave him a kingly burial
Which Persian became a great influence on Alexander?
Bagoas
Describe the Macedonians reaction to Alexander when he began adopting Persian customs and rituals?
They freaking hated it and wanted to go home to where their rituals were at.
In the battle of the Hydaspes river what type of animal was used for the first time by Alexander as a western commander? Result?
Elephants // So a lot of the Indians and their elephants were killed, but because Porus stayed on the field and didn't flee (and was also a fine tall glass of water), Alexander let him live & be in charge of his people
What happened to Alexander during the assault on a fortress on the Chenab river?
He got stabbed and almost died because of hemorrhaging right above the lungs and then he wrote to his troops that he'd be ok but they didn't want to fight w/o him
What region did Alexander lead his men through on the way home? What was the result? How many perished?
Indus River // Lots of battles happened // At least 80,000
Where and when did Alexander the Great die?
He died supposedly in Alexandria, Egypt on June 10, 323 BC.
How or why do they think someone may have killed him?
So he was partying, took a bath, and then was persuaded to keep partying by Medius in his tent where he spent day and night dRINKING. He then got a fever and so basically he died of alcohol poisoning or just poisoning in general
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