Materials

• Class notes (see bolded text in Instructional Activities below)
• Map of Alexander’s Empire after his death
• Map of the Mediterranean area
• Historical background on the blend of Greek and oriental elements in the Hellenistic Age
• Overhead transparency (optional)
• Teacher-selected reading, worksheet, or activity

Instructional Activities

NOTE: The following Web resources may be helpful in teaching this session:

• “Greek Hellenistic.” < http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/weekly/aa041700a.htm>.
• “The Hellenistic World in 90 b.c.” <http://www.uoregon.edu/~atlas/europe/static/map10.html>.
• “The Hellenistic World in 240 b.c.” < http://www.uoregon.edu/~atlas/europe/static/map09.html>.

1. Review content covered to this point in the unit.
   
   
2. Ask students to explain what happens to the United States government if the President dies. Encourage them to explain who takes over.
   
   
3. Ask students how the United States transfers power from one leader to the other. Ask if the transfer is peaceful and orderly.
   
   
4. Tell students how many Presidents the United States has had to date. Explain that the United States has survived and grown despite a regular rotation of power. Ask students if they can think of other countries that have a peaceful transfer of power. Share some examples with them (e.g., United Kingdom).
   
   
5. Ask students if they know of countries that have had difficult power transitions. (Iraq in 2003 may be a familiar example to students.)
   
   
6. Discuss the problems of a country having no established line of secession.
   
   
7. Explain that there was no line of secession when Alexander the Great died. Following his death his empire was divided into smaller empires.
   
   
8. Provide a map that reflects the division of Alexander’s Empire following his death. (The Web sites listed above may be of assistance in researching this division.)
   
   
9. Put the following note on the board or overhead:
   
   The Hellenistic Age produced a blend of Greek and oriental elements. This culture spread through trade.
   
   Using maps and historical background, explain the blend of Greek and oriental elements in Hellenistic culture. (The Web sites listed above may be of assistance in researching this division.)
   
   
10. Assign a teacher-selected reading, worksheet, or other reinforcement activity, using available teacher resources.