Alexander's achievements
I can describe some of Alexander's greatest achievements.
Alexander's achievements
I can describe some of Alexander's greatest achievements.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Defeating the Persian Empire and expanding Greek control into Egypt and India were not Alexander's only achievements.
- He sliced the famous Gordian knot in two and conquered Babylon, a city the Greeks could scarcely imagine.
- He founded the great city of Alexandria in Egypt, which came to be ruled by one of his generals, Ptolemy.
- Ptolemy and his son tried to turn Alexandria into the greatest of all Greek cities, building an incredible library.
- Alexandria became a centre of learning which attracted brilliant minds like Euclid and Galen.
Keywords
Conquer - to gain something, such as land, by force is to conquer it
Library - a library is a place that has many books and other learning resources
Attract - to be appealing in some way to others is to attract people
Common misconception
Alexandria is a city in Greece.
Alexander the Great founded the city of Alexandria in Egypt, not on the mainland or any island of Ancient Greece. There is still a city called Alexandria on the original site in Egypt today; some ruins of the ancient city can be visited by tourists.
To help you plan your year 4 history lesson on: Alexander's achievements, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 4 history lesson on: Alexander's achievements, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 2 history lessons from the Ancient Greek civilisation: why is Alexander called 'The Great'? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a mathematician who studied geometry
a scientist, a doctor and a surgeon