DEREE COLLEGE SYLLABUS FOR: :
HY 3021 ALEXANDER III, THE GREAT
(Updated Fall 2015)
UK LEVEL: 5
UK CREDITS: 15
US CREDITS: 3/0/3
PREREQUISITES:
None.
CATALOG
DESCRIPTION:
Analysis of the times and achievements of one of the most
controversial personalities of the Ancient World.
RATIONALE:
This course is fundamental for any student interested in the
Macedonian/Hellenistic phase of ancient Greek history.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
As a result of taking this course, the student should be able to:
1. Evaluate the achievements of Philip II, the king of Macedonia, in
setting the way for his successor.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the causes of the decline of
city-state culture.
3. Analyse from various sources, Greek and non-Greek the
‘greatness’ of Alexander.
4. Evaluate Alexander’s influence in the civilization of the times in
Greece and Anatolia.
5. Evaluate the short-term and the long-term effects of Alexander’s
‘passing’ in History.
METHOD OF TEACHING
AND LEARNING:
In congruence with the learning and teaching strategy of the
college, the following tools are used:
- Classes consist of lectures and interactive learning (class
discussions on contemporary or past events, as well as case studies
assigned by the instructor).
- Office hours: Students are encouraged to make full use of the
office hours of their instructor, where they can discuss the course
material.
- Use of a Blackboard site, where instructors can post lecture notes
assignment instructions, timely announcements, and additional
resources.
- Use of library facilities: Students are encouraged to make use o
the library facilities for their case study assignments as well as for
preparation for the final.
ASSESSMENT:
Summative:
Term Paper (2,000 to 3,000 words)
Final examination (2-hour, comprehensive)
40%
60%
Formative:
An annotated bibliography in preparation for
the research paper
0
The final examination tests learning outcomes 1 to 5.
The term paper tests learning outcomes 1, 3, 4 and 5.
INDICATIVE READING:
REQUIRED READING:
Arrian. The Campaigns of Alexander the Great. London:
Penguin Classics,1976.
Cuintus Curtius Rufus. The History of Alexander. London: Penguin
Classics, 1984.
Plutarch. The Life of Alexander the Great. Modern Library, 2004.
Wood, Michael. In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great. BBC
Book2004.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Cartledge, Paul. Alexander the Great: The Hunt for a New Past. Pan
new edition, 2005.
Cary, M. A History of the Greek World 323 to 146 B.C. London,
latest edition.
Chamoux, F. Hellenistic Civilization, Wiley – Blackwell, 2002.
Fildes, A., Fletcher J. Alexander the Great: Son of the Gods, J. Paul
Getty Museum, 2004.
Fox, Robin Lane. Alexander the Great. Penguin 2006.
Glenn, B. R. The Cambridge Companion to the Hellenistic World.
Cambridge University Press, 2006.
Green, P. Alexander of Macedon 356-323 B.C.: A Historical
Biography. University of California Press, 1992.
Hammond, H. City State and World State. Cambridge, Mass, latest
edition.
Heckel, Waldemar, Tritle, Lawrence A. Alexander the Great: A
New History. Wiley Blackwell 2009.
Wilcken, Ulrich. Alexander the Great. W. W. Norton & Co. Reissue
edition 1967.
REQUIRED MATERIAL: N/A
INDICATIVE MATERIAL:
(e.g. audiovisual, digital material,
etc.)
RECOMMENDED MATERIAL: N/A
COMMUNICATION
REQUIREMENTS:
Written and verbal presentation skills using proper English
SOFTWARE
REQUIREMENTS:
Word
WWW RESOURCES:
www.fordham.edu/halsall/
http://hum.ucalgary.ca
www.e-classics.com/ALEXANDER.htm
http://wwwentergroupltd.com/alexander.web/
library.thinkquest.org/alexander.htm
INDICATIVE CONTENT:
INTRODUCTION. The decline of the city -state, 4rth c. B.C.
crisis.
1. THE MACEDONIANS
1.1. Early History
1.2. Tribal, mountainous culture
1.3. Origins, Dorian, Illyrian
2. PHILIP II
2.1. Family and personality
2.2. Relations with Macedonian chieftains
2.3. Struggles for power
2.4. The 1rst. Kingdom of Europe
2.5. Relations with Southern Greece
2.6. Sacred Wars
2.7. Diplomacy and manipulation
2.8. Military innovations
2.9. Chaeronea, 338 B.C.E.
3. ALEXANDER III
3.1. Family and personality
3.2. Rise to power
3.3. Relations with Southern Greece
3.4. Military innovations
3.5. Chaeronea, 338 B.C.E.
4. THE EXPEDITION TO ASIA
4.1. Causes and pretexts
4.2. Militarism
4.3. “Imperialism”
4.4. Why didn’t Alexander invade Europe?
5. THE PERSIAN EMPIRE
5.1. Early History
5.2. Decline
5.3. Relations with Southern Greece
5.4. Relations with Macedonia
5.5. Alexander Ochus
6. THE “GENIUS” of Alexander
6.1. Military achievements, victories and ‘failures’
6.2. Political, administrative, economic policies
6.3. Debates on the issues of “brotherhood”, ‘homonoia’,
“deification”, the “blond daemon”, bisexuality.
7. THE “GREATNESS” of Alexander
7.1. Myth?
7.2. Fabrication?
7.3. Historical reality?
7.4. The 1st. ‘global’ model of a ruler?
7.5. Why does Alexander still ‘fascinate’ the world?
8. THE SUCCESSORS
8.1. The “great generals” behind the King.
8.2. The formulation of the Hellenistic Kingdoms: Ptolemies,
Seleucids, Antigonids, Attalids. The Achaean and Aetolian
Confederations.
9. HELLENISTIC CIVILIZATION
CONCLUSION. The Roman conquests. How does Alexander
become a ‘great ruler’?