Alexander the Great

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.

What our students say: 

''This is another fantastic course. Alexander the Great is such an interesting historical figure that deserves an in-depth study. Though the short span of the course is barely sufficient to do justice to Alexander, the tutor did a marvellous job in this regard. The “Further Reading” sections provide sufficient pertinent information for me to chew over in the weeks to come whereas the tutor’s discussion topics in the “Discussion” sections provoked fellow students’ well-informed inputs which indeed added value to the course.''

''I have learnt a great deal about Alexander the Great and his wider context. The format of the course exceeded my expectations. This must be just about the best online course I have taken yet. It is the sixth such course I have taken - all others with another 'similar' university''

''The tutor was excellent. The material selected was useful, his guidance helpful, and the weekly seminars added very much to the experience.''

Entry requirements

This course is open to everyone, and you don’t need any previous knowledge or experience of the subject to attend.

Our short courses are designed especially for adult learners who want to advance their personal or professional development. They are taught by tutors who are expert in both their subjects and in teaching students of all ages and experiences.

Please note that all teaching is in English. You should have near-native command of the English language in order to get the maximum benefit from the course.