What was the name of the Persian leader who was forced to retreat in shame when he confronted Alexander?
In 333 BC, Alexander’s army met the Persian King Darius’s massive army near Issus in Turkey. Despite being outnumbered in men, his experience and determination were unmatched by the King’s army, and King Darius was forced to flee with his troops leaving his family behind. Darius’ mother was so angry, she reportedly disowned her son and adopted Alexander instead.
True or False: Alexander once named a city after his horse
When Alexander was ten years old, he was brought a horse by a trader from Thessaly. The horse proved impossible to tame, and his father ordered it sent away. Alexander noticed that the horse was afraid of its shadow and pleaded for permission to tame the horse. Much to the joy of Philip, he did. As a reward for his courage and ambition, Philip bought him the horse which he named Bucephalas or “Ox Head.” When the horse died in battle at the ripe old age of 30, Alexander named the city Bucephala after him.
True or False: A historian once claimed that Alexander had a naturally beautiful odor.
: In historian Plutarch’s book Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans, Plutarch reported that Alexander possessed a “most agreeable odor,” and that his breath and body perfumed his clothes. This reference to smell was part of a tradition of giving otherworldly characteristics to a conquering king.
Which of these was a favorite tactic of Alexander the Great?
One of Alexander the Great’s favorite tactics was the use of the Macedonian phalanx. A phalanx is a strategic formation that consists of a block of infantry standing shoulder to shoulder in rows that are several feet deep. The Greek formation was modified by Alexander’s father Philip II and utilized by Alexander in battle. What set the Phalangites apart was the fact that they were professional soldiers, and were among the first to be trained through drills.
True or False: Alexander had only one city named after him, which was in Egypt.
: As a means of recognizing his numerous conquests, Alexander would found cities around his military forts and name them Alexandria. All in all, there were more than 70 cities named Alexandria, the most famous of which is Alexandria in Egypt. Alexandria was founded at the mouth of the Nile river in 331 BC and is the second largest city in Egypt today.
How did Alexander’s father die?
When King Philip was assassinated in 336 BC, some circles suspected that Alexander and his mother had a hand in his stabbing. With the throne now free for the taking, Alexander quickly eliminated any enemies who stood in his path. With help from the Macedonian army, he murdered all other potential heirs to the throne. His mother Olympia helped Alexander’s quest by killing King Philip’s daughter and leading his wife Cleopatra to commit suicide.
Where was Alexander buried?
Nobody knows for sure where Alexander the Great was laid to rest.
True or False: After conquering the Persians, Alexander adopted many Persian customs.
After conquering the Persians, Alexander realized that acting like a Persian would be the best way to keep control of his conquest. He began wearing the traditional dress of a Persian royal, and in 324 held a mass wedding where he forced 92 Macedonian leaders to marry Persian women. Alexander also married two Persian women, Stateira and Parysatis.
True or False: a 2008 survey determined that Alexander was the greatest greek of all-time.
A 2008 TV show called “The Greatest Greeks” asked the audience to vote on who they considered the greatest Greek of all time. The winner was Alexander the Great, further illustrating his long-enduring impact and influence on modern society.
Which of these places was never conquered by Alexander the Great?
Alexander the Great conquered much of the world...but he never made it across the ocean to North or South America.
Who played Alexander in the 2004 film adaption of his life story? (Hint: the film was called Alexander
Colin Farrell played Alexander in the 2004 film about his life, directed by Oliver Stone.
Alexander originally ascended the throne of which nation?
Alexander III of Macedon, otherwise known as Alexander the Great, was born in the ancient Greek city Pella in 356 BC and died in 323 BC. He ascended to the Macedonian throne at age 20 after his father’s death and spent most of his reign leading a military campaign through Asia and Northeast Africa. By age 30, he’d created a vast empire that stretched from Greece to India and he’s considered one of the greatest military leaders in history.
Which of these was NOT a nickname given to Alexander in his lifetime?
Alexander the Great was known by a number of other nicknames in his lifetime. He was often called the Accursed, the Conqueror of the World, the Philosopher-King, and the Madman of Macedonia among others.
Alexander is said to have kept a copy of one specific copy with him at all times. What was the book?
Alexander the Great was said to be extremely fond of Homer’s Iliad and kept a copy with him all of the time. The book was a gift from his tutor Aristotle, and he read the work on a regular basis. When Aristotle saw that Alexander was inspired by the epic poem, he created an abridged version for him to take with him on military campaigns.
True or False: Alexander had two different colored eyes.
Alexander the Great had an eye condition called heterochromia iridium which means he had two different colored eyes. It’s caused by a lack of pigmentation in the iris of one of the eyes. The condition is more common in animals such as dogs and cats, but several celebrities like Kiefer Sutherland, Kate Bosworth and Mila Kunis have it.
In a legend similar to Arthur and Excalibur, a Greek oracle foretold that whoever was able to untie the knot of Gordium would go on to become the true ruler of Asia. When Alexander reached the town of Gordium on his Asian campaign, he decided to attempt the knot. How did he succeed?
: In a legend similar to Arthur and Excalibur, a Greek oracle foretold that whoever was able to untie the knot of Gordium would go on to become the true ruler of Asia. When Alexander reached the town of Gordium on his Asian campaign, he decided to attempt the knot. He initially tried to untangle the knot, but when his patience ran out, he simply took his sword and sliced through it.
True or False: The military tactics that made Alexander so successful are considered obsolete today, and so are never studied.
Alexander’s tactics are still studied in military colleges today.
Which great philosopher was Alexander’s tutor as a boy?
At age 13, Alexander was tutored by the great philosopher Aristotle. His tutelage lasted for about 3 years, and Aristotle taught him government, philosophy, politics, poetry, drama, and sciences
What was the name of Alexander’s mother?
Alexander’s mother was also of royal blood. Olympias, as she was eventually called, was the daughter of King Neoptolemus I of Epirus, and her family claimed to descend from both the mythical Greek King Aeacus, and from the Greek Hero of the Trojan War, Achilles.
True or False: Alexander was never defeated in battle.
: From his first battle at age 18 until his death, Alexander was undefeated in battle. He had a reputation for leading his men with great speed, which allowed the smaller forces to reach and break enemy lines before his opponents were ready. In 334 BC Alexander fortified his own kingdom in Greece, and then crossed into Asia, where he won several more battles.
Alexander’s family claimed to descend from which famous Greek hero?
Alexander’s mother claimed to be descended both the mythical Greek King Aeacus, and from the Greek Hero of the Trojan War, Achilles.
What was the name of Alexander’s father?
Alexander’s father was Philip II of Macedon
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Alexander Reborn
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Alexander III of Macedon, otherwise known as Alexander the Great, was born in the ancient Greek city Pella in 356 BC and died in 323 BC. He ascended to the Macedonian throne at age 20 after his father’s death and spent most of his reign leading a military campaign through Asia and Northeast Africa. By age 30, he’d created a vast empire that stretched from Greece to India and he’s considered one of the greatest military leaders in history. But how much do you know about his life? Time to find out...
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