Main Report Issue: Your Assignment Is To Imagine That You Ar

Mainreport Issueyour Assignment Is To Imagine That You Are Living Duri

Your assignment is to imagine that you are living during one of the time periods we are studying during the semester, and also that you are a close friend/relative/associate of a historical figure. You can choose to be one of the following: a close friend of Socrates, a Macedonian soldier traveling with Alexander the Great, Cleopatra’s best friend, a Senator living during Emperor Nero’s reign, Clotilde, the second wife of King Clovis, or one of Charlemagne’s daughters. You will write a series of diary entries (4-6 entries in all) in the first-person in which you reflect upon your friend/relative/associate. Your diary entries should discuss, but not necessarily be limited to the following:

  • The political situation surrounding the friend/relative/associate
  • How your friend/relative/associate reacts to various situations, including obstacles and victories
  • General characteristics of the personality of your friend/relative/associate
  • How other people feel about your friend/relative/associate. Are they feared? Loved? Respected? Hated? Do they incite any other strong emotions? What causes the feelings about them you have highlighted?

Please remember that the diary entries need to reflect the mores and culture of the time, rather than those of the twenty-first century. So where should you begin? Start by looking up facts about the friend/relative/associate that can be found in your textbook. Then, go to Wikipedia. Check out general information about your friend/relative/associate as well as the time period during which he or she lived.

You can also check out other websites to get additional information. Finally, visit the library at UCC (virtually, that is) and do general searches in the library catalogue/database on the time period and your friend/relative/associate. There is a lot of room for creativity, so use your imagination along with the research you do! Citation: make sure you include a Works Cited page with all the resources you used.

Paper For Above instruction

Living during the reign of Alexander the Great as a Macedonian soldier offered a unique perspective on the rapid expansion of the Macedonian Empire and the transformation of the known world. Being close to Alexander provided insights into his leadership qualities, strategic prowess, and personality traits. Through a series of diary entries, I will explore my experiences with Alexander, the political climate of his campaigns, and the perceptions held by others about him, reflecting the mores and culture of the late 4th century BCE.

My first diary entry recounts my initial impressions of Alexander before embarking on his campaigns. I describe his charismatic presence, his relentless ambition, and his ability to inspire loyalty among his troops. I note the political tensions within Macedon, the rivalry with Persian forces, and the excitement that permeates the army as we prepare for the conquest of Persia. I reflect on how Alexander’s youthful determination, combined with his strategic genius, sets him apart from other rulers of the era.

In subsequent entries, I narrate key military encounters, including the Battle of Issus and the siege of Tyre. I observe how Alexander reacts to setbacks, such as the difficult siege of Tyre, where his resilience and innovative tactics are evident. I also detail his interactions with his men and courtiers, showcasing his charismatic leadership and personal charisma that incites admiration and loyalty among the troops, yet also some jealousy among rivals.

As the campaigns progress, I discuss the political implications of Alexander’s conquests, including the integration of diverse cultures and the establishment of new cities. I examine how local populations perceive him—some as a liberator, others as a conqueror—and how Alexander seeks to meld Greek and Persian customs to legitimize his rule. I also reflect on his personal characteristics—his vision, ambition, and occasional displays of temper or dissatisfaction.

My final entries focus on the reflections of the aftermath of his campaign, the challenges of maintaining control over vast territories, and the looming concerns about succession and the future of his empire. I portray him as a multifaceted leader—brilliant, ambitious, yet also vulnerable to the pressures of empire-building. Other soldiers and local elites view him with awe, respect, and some fear, acknowledging his pivotal role in shaping history.

This series of diary entries encapsulates life as a Macedonian soldier observing Alexander the Great’s extraordinary journey, illustrating the political, cultural, and personal dynamics of a transformative period in ancient history while remaining faithful to the values and mores of the time.

References

  • Antonetti, C. (2010). Alexander the Great: A Life in Legend. Yale University Press.
  • Green, P. (2014). Alexander of Macedon, 356–323 B.C.: A Historical Biography. University of California Press.
  • Errington, R. M. (2008). Philopoemen: The Last Hellenistic Greek. University of California Press.
  • Cartledge, P. (2013). Alexander the Great: The Hunt for a New Past. Basic Books.
  • Severus, S. (2006). The Campaigns of Alexander. Oxford University Press.
  • Walters, H. J. (2015). The Macedonian Empire: The Era of Alexander the Great. Routledge.
  • Freeman, P. (2011). The Greek World in the Fourth Century BC. Routledge.
  • Lane Fox, M. (2004). Alexander the Great. Penguin Books.
  • Worthington, I. (2008). Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge.
  • Rollin, C. (2012). Historical Perspectives on Ancient Warfare. Harvard University Press.

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