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Philip II and Alexander the Great of Macedon (CLA3028)

Module aims

The aim of this module is to consider the period of rule of both Philip II and Alexander III of Macedon, and especially Alexander's conquest of Asia. It will look at the reasons for the military and diplomatic successes both of Philip and of Alexander, as well as their failures. The module will also investigate models of kingship and empire and how they were developed under Alexander, consider whether it is possible, given the nature of the sources, to form an accurate understanding of the character and personality of Alexander the Great.

ILO: Module-specific skills

• 1. On completion of this module, students should be able to describe, analyse and evaluate the nature and extent of Philip and Alexander's success in forming and maintaining an extended empire
• 2. to analyse and evaluate a range of sources for historical purposes, and in particular to evaluate the purposes of the literary sources for Alexander

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

• 3. Students should be able to demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate a range of sources (particularly literaray sources), to describe in detail and evaluate historical events, and to reflect on and analyse abstract ideas.

ILO: Personal and key skills

• 4. Students should demonstrate that they have developed skills in the construction, presentation, and defence of arguments (both in written form and orally)
• 5. and that they are able to work both in groups and independently

Syllabus plan

Topics will include (Term 1): The Macedonian state: territory, people, religion and kingship Macedonians and Greeks in the fifth century The Greek background in the fourth century New kinds of warfare in the fourth century The succession of Philip II Philip and Athens Philip and the Greeks Term 2): Source criticism and the many faces of Alexander The conquest of Asia Army & tactics, Imperial administration Alexander and the Macedonians Macedonians and Iranians The divinity of Alexander The Successors Macedonian imperialism: success and failure The historical Alexander?

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Set texts:

M. Gagarin, Aeschines, University of Texas, 2000 [Term 1] Demosthenes 19 (on ELE), Olynthiacs I-III, Philippic III (on ELE) [Term 1] Isocrates, Philippus (on ELE) [Term 1] E.I. McQueen, Diodorus, Library of History (v. 16): A Companion with Translation, Reign of Philip II, Gerald Duckworth & Co Ltd [Term 1] Justin, Epitome of Pompeius Trogus, books 7-12 [Terms 1 & 2] (on ELE) Arrian, The Campaigns of Alexander (Penguin) [Term 2] Diodorus Siculus, Book 17 (Loeb) [Term 2] Quintus Curtius, The History of Alexander (Penguin) [Term 2] Plutarch, Life of Alexander (on ELE) [Term 2] .

Suggested reading:

E.N. Borza, In the Shadow of Olympus, Princeton, 1990 A.B. Bosworth, Conquest and Empire. The Reign of Alexander the Great, Cambridge, 1988 N.G.L. Hammond, The Macedonian State: Origins, Institutions, and History, Oxford, 1989 N.G.L. Hammond, Alexander the Great: King, Commander and Statesman, London, 1981

Module has an active ELE page?

Yes

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

2011

Key words search

Classics, Greek, Macedonia, Military

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