Western Civilization I / Unit 5 WC1 0405 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Persian Pretext, Philip's Murder, and Thebes
Captions available
The idea
Philip needed loot and chose Persia, calling it revenge, a pretext the anchor names as imperialism. A bodyguard murdered him in three thirty-six; Olympias's role is disputed, no verdict. Alexander, twenty, purged rivals and sacked rebellious Thebes, killing thousands as a warning.
In practice
Aristotle's pupil, modeled on Achilles.
Where people slip
Olympias rests on the anchor. The sack of Thebes is the record.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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