Directions
- Study the attached primary documents relating to Alexander the Great.
- I’ve attached the Alexander the Great documents you’ll need to answer the document-based essay question below (Alexander…hero or villain?).
- The first paragraph of your essay should establish the CONTEXT (background info/buildup/historical developments before Alexander’s conquests) and finish with your THESIS position…Alexander, hero or villain, and why (don’t go into too much detail in your thesis but make sure you’ve provided substance or stated a position that will be defended by your supporting paragraphs).
- Then, type the 2 supporting paragraphs to defend your thesis with EVIDENCE (from the documents) and COMMENTARY (your analysis of those documents…how does this evidence support my thesis?)
- You must reference at least 6 of the 11 posted sources in defending your thesis statement. This means you must discuss something specific (line, aspect of an image, overall meaning, etc.) from 6 documents and put the document/source # in parentheses at the end of your sentence when doing so.
- Example: According to Quintus Curtius, Alexander’s forces were highly disciplined and well-trained (Doc. #2).
- I realize that “hero” and “villain” can be somewhat relative terms, especially when trying to judge the actions of ancient conquerors through the perspective of 21st values. Thus, in framing your analysis, compare Alexander to other conquerors we’ve discussed and determine if he was special/different or just another warmonger. You don’t have to make this comparison in your essay since the focus is document analysis but you can consider it in your mind when trying to construct your thesis.
- Type your short essay in a Word document and upload the document to this assignment post OR type, copy, and paste your essay into the assignment text box that opens when you click on the underlined title of the assignment.
Prompt:
When Alexander the Great died in 323 BC at the age of 32, he left many wondering what could have been. WHAT IF Alexander had lived twice as long? Using the documents, predict whether Alexander would have died a hero or a villain.
- Follow the essay rubric (context, thesis, evidence, explanation). Remember, I care less about your position/thesis/conclusion, but I’m interested to see how you use the documents to support your predictions. You are, after all, a historian in training!!!
