Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon

Overview

A study of the conquest of Persia by Alexander the Great, exploring in particular the military, political and social issues of his reign and campaigns.

Alexander the Great was one of the most influential generals in Western history, conquering vast portions of the Mediterranean world and beyond. Yet even now he remains an elusive figure: he was both a founder and a sacker of cities; he spread Greek culture, but also adopted Persian customs and married a foreign princess; he was worshipped as a god, but was also a victim of human vices; he was a remarkable general, yet led his men into a desert where they died by the thousands. This paper explores the achievements and paradoxes of this fascinating historical figure.

About this paper

Paper title Alexander the Great
Subject Classical Studies
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,103.10
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
(18 CLAS, GREK or LATN points) or 54 points
Restriction
CLAS 334
Schedule C
Arts and Music
Eligibility

Suitable for all people interested in history, historiography and ancient personalities.

Contact
classics@otago.ac.nz
Teaching staff

Dr Davide Morassi

Paper Structure
Teaching Arrangements
This paper consists of two lectures per week and one tutorial per fortnight.
Textbooks

A selection of primary source and secondary source readings will be made available through Blackboard.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Communication, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Self-motivation, Teamwork, critical thinking.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes
  • To investigate the nature of ancient history and the methods and sub-disciplines used to analyse it
  • To analyse and understand how Greek and Eastern cultures interacted when brought into confrontation by Alexander's expedition

Overview

A study of the conquest of Persia by Alexander the Great, exploring in particular the military, political and social issues of his reign and campaigns.

Alexander the Great was one of the most influential generals in Western history, conquering vast portions of the Mediterranean world and beyond. Yet, even now he remains an elusive figure: he was both a founder and a sacker of cities; he spread Greek culture, but also adopted Persian customs and married a foreign princess; he was worshipped as a god, but was also a victim of human vices; he was a remarkable general, yet led his men into a desert where they died by the thousands. This paper explores the achievements and paradoxes of this fascinating historical figure.

About this paper

Paper title Alexander the Great
Subject Classical Studies
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
(18 CLAS, GREK or LATN points) or 54 points
Restriction
CLAS 334
Schedule C
Arts and Music
Eligibility

Suitable for all people interested in history, historiography and ancient personalities.

Contact
classics@otago.ac.nz
Teaching staff

Dr Davide Morassi

Paper Structure
Teaching Arrangements
This paper consists of two lectures per week and one tutorial per fortnight.
Textbooks

A selection of primary source and secondary source readings will be made available through Aoroa.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Communication, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this paper will be able to:

  • To investigate the nature of ancient history and the methods and sub-disciplines used to analyse it
  • To analyse and understand how Greek and Eastern cultures interacted when brought into confrontation by Alexander's expedition
Back to top