Question

By building an empire, Alexander the Great spread Greek culture and ideas throughout Europe and Asia. In one or two paragraphs, describe how Alexander created his empire and explain how this led to the growth of Greek culture in other parts of the world. Be sure to include details on two places outside Greece that Alexander conquered and two ways in which these conquered lands used Greek ideas.

Answer 1

Alexander the Great first strengthened his control of the Greek city of Thebes, and soon the rest of Greece fell under his rule. From there, he invaded the Persian Empire, finally conquering the Persian capital of Persepolis. He also conquered the cities of Ionia and the kingdom of Egypt. Eventually, his empire stretched from Greece to India. Greek customs began to flourish in many of the kingdoms Alexander conquered. Places like Egypt and Persia adopted the Greek language and architectural style. A city he had built in Egypt, Alexandria, also became an important center of trade and learning for the Greeks.

Answer 2

Alexander The Great believed that his task as a ruler was not only to conquer certain areas, but also to spread new ideas, culture and to create a blend of different influences that would led to the cultural unification of his Empire. On the territories he had conquered Alexander was spreading the Greek ideas, culture and tradition, but also wanted to incorporate elements of the regions he had conquered.

Alexander managed to conquer Persian Empire, spreading his country to India. When he entered in Egypt he was received as a pharaoh. Newly conquered areas accepted Greek culture, they even started using common language. This period was known as Hellenism.