Alexander's conquests
I can explain how Alexander created a great Macedonian Empire through military conquests.
Alexander's conquests
I can explain how Alexander created a great Macedonian Empire through military conquests.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- In his first battle against the Persians, Alexander showed great bravery and won the respect of his soldiers.
- Alexander captured city after Persian city, showing the people great mercy before defeating Darius III at Issus.
- Alexander then marched into Egypt, where the people made him pharaoh as thanks for ridding them of their Persian rulers.
- Alexander then sought out Darius III, defeating him at Gaugamela with superior tactics against the Persian chariots.
- Alexander conquered Babylon before continuing east to the River Indus; he died whilst returning home with his army.
Keywords
Mercy - showing mercy is treating someone kindly when you have power over them
Pharaoh - the leaders of Ancient Egypt were called pharaohs
Tactics - tactics are the plans armies use in battle to defeat their enemies
Babylon - Babylon was an ancient city in the Persian Empire that was located on the Euphrates River
Common misconception
That only Egyptian people who were related by blood to the previous pharaoh could become a pharaoh.
Alexander was an ancient Greek. He was not Egyptian by birth or by blood but the Egyptian people still made him a pharaoh after Alexander drove the Persians out of Egypt.
To help you plan your year 4 history lesson on: Alexander's conquests, 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 conquests, 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.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
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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