Aims of the course
To explain why and how Alexander conquered the Achaemenid Persian Empire and the consequences thereof.
Schedule (this course is completed entirely online)
Orientation Week: 10-16 April 2023
Teaching Weeks: 17 April-21 May 2023
Feedback Week: 22-28 May 2023
Teaching week 1 - Macedon before Alexander
This week we will discover how Macedon rose to prominence in the Greek world, and to learn the nature of Macedonian kingship and Macedon's relationship with Greece.
Learning objectives:
- an understanding of Macedonian demographics and geography
- some understanding of how to use archaeology and the original sources in research
Teaching week 2 - The Persian Empire
This week we will aim to see Greece from the Persian perspective. We will also examine the extent and age of civilisation in western and central Asia. Finally, we will look at the foundation and evolution of the Achaemenid Persian empire.
Learning objectives:
- an understanding of the history of civilisation in Anatolia and Mesopotamia
- an understanding of the nature of the Persian empire
- a basic knowledge of the Persian/Greek wars
Teaching week 3 -
This week will introduce Philip II and the Macedonian takeover of Greece. We will also look at the demographics and socio-political structure of Greece, and the Greek and Macedonian military systems.
Learning objectives:
- an understanding of Greece in the third century BC
- knowledge of the fundamentals of ancient warfare
- an acquaintance with Demosthenes
Teaching week 4 - Alexander the Conqueror
This week we will look at how Alexander conquered the Persian Empire, as well as looking at what his motives for doing so were.
Learning objectives:
- understanding the chronology and reasons for conquest
- observe the tactics used in the major battles and sieges
- see why the political and ethnic composition of the Persian empire made conquest possible
Teaching week 5 - Alexander's legacy
This week we will look at the result of Alexander's conquest for posterity, the Diadochi, the Hellenistic kingdoms, and Alexander as a dubious inspiration in ancient and modern times.
Learning objectives:
- an understanding of the Hellenistic East
- the contribution of the Hellenistic East to the Roman and Byzantine empires
- questioning why Alexander is perceived as a heroic figure
Each week of an online course is roughly equivalent to 2-3 hours of classroom time. On top of this, participants should expect to spend roughly 2-3 hours reading material, etc., although this will vary from person to person.
While they have a specific start and end date and will follow a weekly schedule (for example, week 1 will cover topic A, week 2 will cover topic B), our tutor-led online courses are designed to be flexible and as such would normally not require participants to be online for a specific day of the week or time of the day (although some tutors may try to schedule times where participants can be online together for web seminars, which will be recorded so that those who are unable to be online at certain times are able to access material).
Virtual Learning Environment
Unless otherwise stated, all course material will be posted on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) so that they can be accessed at any time throughout the duration of the course and interaction with your tutor and fellow participants will take place through a variety of different ways which will allow for both synchronous and asynchronous learning (discussion boards etc).
Certificate of participation
A Certificate of Participation will be awarded to participants who contribute constructively to weekly discussions and exercises/assignments for the duration of the course.
