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Alexander was born in 356 BC to King Philip and his wife Olympias, a native of a border area with Albania known as Epirus. Historians describe Olympias as an emotional woman who believed in unusual cults, worshiped Dionysus (god of ecstasy and possession), and handled snakes. It is believed that Philip became infatuated with Olympias when she was 14 at the celebration of the mystery cult on the island of Samothrace. However, it was also a political savvy move in that his marriage sealed an alliance with western principalities. Legend holds he grew disenchanted years later when he saw her with a snake in her bed. Eventually, Philip shunned Olympias for a younger wife who bore him another heir. (Polygamy was practiced among Macedonian royalty). Afterwards, Alexander lived in Epirus for a time with his mother, only to return to insults over Philips new wife and heir. A close and potent pair, Alexander allowed his mother to have this wife and her child put to death when he assumed the throne. (Wood, pg. 24)As a child, Alexander would exhibit characteristics gleaned from both his parents. Like Philip, fearlessness and an ability to evaluate a situation were apparent in the story of Bucephalas (ox head), an untamable horse which Alexander wagered his father he could master. Noticing the horse jumped at its own shadow, the young Alexander led Bucephalus straight into the sun, mounted the horse and rode away. His skill at military strategy was admired at Chareonea, and he is said to have questioned Persian envoys about the geography of their land. Like Olympias, Alexander was temperamental, believed in oracles and omens and developed an interest in cults.

Sent to study with Aristotle, the teenage Alexander began a lifelong dedication to philosophy. Aristotle gave Alexander his copy of the Iliad which Alexander carried with him throughout his life. An admirer of Achilles, Alexander claimed he was a descendant on his mothers side. He also believed himself to be a descendant of Heracles, (Zeus grandson), on his fathers side. All of Alexanders traits would define him as an adult and embolden him to expand his empire as far as India.

Its probably impossible to teach a lesson on Alexander the Great without the subject of his sexuality being raised. As with many aspects of Alexanders life, there is no definitive answer. The people of Alexanders time and society were not in the custom of describing a person by their sexuality. It is known that Alexander did not have a physical relationship with a woman until he was 23. He married twice and had two children with his first wife, Roxanne. Alexander also had a son with his mistress Barsine. His strongest emotional tie, other than his bond with Olympias, seems to have been with Hephaistion. A friend since childhood, Hephaistion was known to be Alexanders favorite among a close circle of male friends and appears frequently in images of Alexander. Hephaistion never fell out of favor with the king (unlike many others) and Alexander is quoted as remarking, “Others loved me because I am King. Hephaistion loved me for myself.” Whether lifelong friends or romantically involved, it is known that Alexander was inconsolable upon Hephaistions death. (Hephaistion drank himself to death.) He wept over his body for an entire day, had the doctor crucified and, like Achilles after the death of Patroclus, cut off his hair.

Focus: Alexander the Great and why he was influential in Ancient Greek and World History.

Grade Level: 9-12

Prior Knowledge: None

Time Needed: 1 period.

Educational Standards:

• NCSS Thematic Standard: II Time, Continuity, and Change.
• NCSS Thematic Standard: VI Power, Authority, and Governance.
• NSS-WH.5-12.1 ERA 3: Classical Traditions, Major Religions, and Giant Empires, 1000 BCE-300 CE; Standard 2, The emergence of Aegean civilization and how interrelations developed among peoples of the eastern Mediterranean and Southwest Asia, 600-200 BCE.

Discuss the life of Alexander.

• Early Life (story of Bucephalas and time in Epirus with Olympia)
• Education (Studies with Aristotle and his fascination with Homer’s epic, The Iliad)
• Note skills, traits and qualities of Alexander.
• Confident
• Well educated