The Search for Alexander

When Alexander the Great was born in 356 BC, his father, Philip II of Macedonia, already had great plans for his son. Philip, a great conquerer himself, trained his boy in war from a tender age and had him tutored in politics by the great philosopher Aristotle. Alexander early on picked up the mantle of revenge against the Persian Empire, and upon his father’s death in 336 BC, Alexander began the military campaigns that would eventually conquer the Persians and take him all the way to India. Before he died in 323 BC, at the age of 32, he had changed the map of the known world by creating an empire enormous in size and cultural influence.

In order to play this game, students must answer questions about The Search for Alexander exhibit, which deals with artifacts and illustrations depicting life during the time of Alexander the Great. Have students thoroughly review the exhibit before attempting the game. Although the game was designed for high school students, it can be modified for middle, elementary, and special education students. The game questions and correct answers (followed by an asterisk *) are given at the end of this teacher’s guide for teachers who want to modify by giving students the questions as an exhibit viewing aid. The vocabulary list below can also be taught before the exhibit is viewed by students.

The premise of the game centers on an ancient picture of Alexander's army that has been discovered. The picture is currently in pieces, and the assignment is to re-assemble the picture. Every correctly answered question reveals another piece of the picture. Students will be allowed to guess at each answer until they select they correct one.

This game tracks the number of questions answered correctly on the first attempt. The ultimate goal is to master the material of the exhibit so that students answer 100% of the questions correctly on the first attempt.

The following map can be used to complete this activity’s Maps #1 and #2. A blank world map is needed to complete map #3.

Using an atlas of ancient maps or a world history textbook, identify, outline and label each of the following countries. Which of these placenames is familiar to us as a country today?

Many modern countries exist in lands once dominated by Alexander the Great. Using a modern atlas, identify, outline and label each country on the map. Which of them was once called Persia?

During his lifetime, Alexander the Great founded seventeen cities and called them all "Alexandria". While some of these, such as Alexandria, Egypt, still exist, others did not survive to the present day. Since Alexander’s time, however, many other communities also named their new cities after Alexandria (Egypt), or Alexander the Great. Below is a listing of many present day major cities around the world named "Alexandria". Some of these were named after Russian emperors, popes, or other famous leaders, who may themselves have been named after Alexander the Great.

City Name	Location	Latitude	Longitude
Alejandria	Bolivia	12 05 S	65 06 W
Aleksandriya	Ukraine	48 41 N	33 05 E
Aleksandriyskaya	Russia	43 55 N	47 09 E
Aleksandrovac	Serbia, Yugoslavia	43 38 N	21 03 E
Aleksandrovka	Donetsk, Ukraine	48 43 N	36 55 E
Aleksandrovka	Khazakhstan	53 06 N	69 54 E
Aleksandrow	Poland	51 49 N	19 13 E
Alessandria	Italy	44 55 N	8 37 E
Alexandria	BC, Canada	52 41 N	122 29 W
Alexandria	Ontario, Canada	45 18 N	74 39 W
Alexandria	Egypt	31 13 N	29 55 E
Alexandria	Jamaica	18 18 N	77 21 W
Alexandria	N. Terr., Australia	19 00 S	130 42 E
Alexandria	Romania	43 59 N	25 19 E
Alexandria	South Africa	33 39 S	26 25 E
Alexandria	Scotland, UK	55 59 N	4 36 W
Alexandria	S. Dakota, USA	43 39 N	97 46 W
Alexandria	Indiana, USA	40 16 N	85 40 W
Alexandria	Kentucky, USA	38 59 N	84 22 W
Alexandria	Louisiana, USA	31 19 N	92 29 W
Alexandria	Minnesota, USA	45 52 N	95 22 W
Alexandria	Missouri, USA	40 20 N	91 29 W
Alexandria	Nebraska, USA	40 16 N	97 24 W
West Alexandria	Ohio, USA	39 44 N	84 33 W
Alexandria	Virginia, USA	38 49 N	77 06 W
Alexandria Bay	New York, USA	44 20 N	75 55 W
Alexandrium (Ancient site)	Palestine	32 06 N	35 28 E
Alexandropoulis	Greece	40 51 N	25 53 E
Al-Iskandariyah	Iraq	32 53 N	44 22 E
Eskandari	Iran	32 50 N	50 19 E
Iskander	Uzbekistan	41 34 N	69 14 E
Iskenderun (alexandretta)	Turkey	36 37 N	36 08 E
Herat (Alexandria Arion)	Afghanistan	34 20 N	62 12 E

Below are 17 important events in the short life of Alexander the Great. Divide students into groups and have each group research the clothing, weapons, transportation, architecture, etc. of Alexander’s day. Then have each group of students illustrate and date several of the events listed below, giving a short written description of the event on the illustration. Hang completed illustrations in chronological order in the classroom or hall to create an Alexandrian timeline.

Correct answers are marked with and asterisk* and are in no certain order, as the game shuffles the questions when it is replayed by a viewer.