HST103A/104A: World History | Unit 3 | Lesson 6: Alexander the Great
Lesson Answer Key
Alexander the Great
Read
1. Briefly describe Alexander’s childhood.
Answers may vary. He was very observant, as evidenced by the incident with Bucephalus, the horse. He
was tutored in Greek literature and culture and liked to read.
2. How did Alexander the Great become king of Macedonia?
His father, King Philip, was assassinated, and he became king.
3. On the following map:
• Label Macedonia, Egypt, Media, Persia, Parthia, Bactria, Pella, Alexandria, Babylon,
Persepolis, and Bactra.
• Label the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Red Sea, Caspian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Arabian Sea.
• Indicate the area comprised of the kingdom of Macedonia.
• Indicate the greatest extent of Alexander’s empire.
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HST103A/104A: World History | Unit 3 | Lesson 6: Alexander the Great
4. Complete the following time line to trace Alexander the Great’s rise as the leader of a vast empire.
1. Alexander begins blending 2. Alexander defeats a large 3. Alexander captures and
Greek and Persian cultures Persian army at Issus. burns the Persian capital of
together. Persepolis.
4. Alexander leads an army of 5. Alexander conquers territory 6. Alexander marches to
Greeks and Macedonians in India. Egypt, is welcomed as a
into Asia Minor. liberator, and founds
Alexandria.
334 B.C. 326 B.C.
4 2 6 3 1 5
5. What happened to Alexander the Great’s empire after he died?
It was divided among three of Alexander’s generals.
6. Why is the three hundred-year period following the death of Alexander the Great known as the
Hellenistic Age?
The Greeks called themselves Hellenes. During this period, Greek culture spread throughout much of the
ancient world.
7. Complete the following to describe the achievements and spread of Hellenistic culture.
The Hellenistic
Age
Learning Philosophy and Art Spread
• Library at Alexandria: thought • Philosophies focused on the Describe how and why Greek
to have housed 700,000 needs of the individual rather culture spread:
papyrus scrolls than the communal ties of the
• Research center: scholars city-states. • The Greeks exerted an
lived and worked here enormous cultural influence
• Euclid: mathematician who • Artists in the Hellenistic Age over their conquerors—Rome.
wrote book on geometry depicted more realistic figures
• Archimedes: made major than those of the Golden Age. • The conquests of Rome
advances in mathematics and would carry the influence of
physics Greece across Europe.
8. Why did the Hellenistic world begin to decline?
The separate kingdoms could not sustain their strength, especially when confronted by a new power—
Rome.
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HST103A/104A: World History | Unit 3 | Lesson 6: Alexander the Great
9. The legacy of ancient Greece can be found in four major areas. Complete the chart to describe this
legacy.
Category Legacy
Humanities and Greek language and mythology
Culture Philosophy—seeking truth and wisdom
History as a discipline of study
The Olympiad
Fine Arts Lifelike sculptures of idealized human forms
Classical architecture—symmetry and balance
Drama—comedy and tragedy
Politics and Direct democracy
Government Trial by peers
The concept of citizenship
Science and Habits of scientific observation and inquiry
Technology Advancements in geometry and physics
Insights into geography and mapmaking
10. Which of the above do you think is ancient Greece’s most important legacy? Why?
Answers will vary.
Character Sketch: Alexander the Great
Thought Bubble
Answers will vary.
Year Alexander Landed in Asia Minor
334 B.C.
Age When He Died
33
How did Alexander’s childhood prepare him to rule an empire?
Answers will vary, but students might suggest that his experiences as a king’s son helped prepare him. In
addition to that, he was educated by Greek tutors.
What personality traits, or characteristics, did Alexander possess?
Answers will vary, but could include: determined, courageous, intelligent, persevering, observant, brave,
confident, successful, bold, ambitious, and so on.
Why do you think Alexander made an effort to blend the cultures of Greece and Persia?
Answers will vary. One possibility is that he might have believed this would help him maintain control over
his vast empire.
What is the legacy of Alexander’s conquest of Egypt, Persia, and parts of India?
Hellenistic (Greek) culture spread to these parts of the world.
In your own words, why do you think Alexander the Great is an important figure from world history?
Answers will vary.
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