Module manager: Dr Samuel Gartland
Email: S.D.Gartland@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
| CLAS2255 | The Worlds of Alexander the Great |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module explores one of the most transformative periods in world history, exploring the far-reaching impact of the Macedonian campaigns from the Mediterranean to India during the reign of Alexander the Great (336–323 BCE). It invites the student to uncover how diverse societies and cultures were reshaped by these encounters, offering a distinctive opportunity for cross-cultural comparisons across remarkably varied civilizations. Bringing together history, archaeology, and literature, this module encourages a multidisciplinary approach to understanding the complexities of Alexander’s world and the worlds he encountered. The surviving sources demand critical evaluation of their origins, meanings, reliability, and perspectives. Through this analysis, the student will gain deeper insight into the dynamics of power, cultural exchange, and the lived experiences of both the conquered and the conquerors. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
1. To help students understand the history of the communities and cultures of the area spanning between the Mediterranean and India during the reign of Alexander III of Macedon (336-323BCE).
2. To give students an understanding of the modern debates about the nature and impact of the military campaigns of the Macedonians.
3. To help students understand the formative stages of what is known as ‘the Hellenistic World’: the radical long-term transformation of societies and cultures brought about by the events of the period that affected a large proportion of the population of the ancient world.
4. To enable students to analyse independently the materials available for the study of the period and to construct their own conclusions from such analysis.
5. To develop students’ skills in attentive reading, in assimilation and analysis of historical evidence, in the perception of connections between issues in different aspects of the subject, and in the presentation of conclusions in a clear and comprehensible form.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Analyse the experiences of the communities situated between the Mediterranean and India between 336-323BCE.
2. Critically evaluate the textual, visual and archaeological evidence which can be used to understand these communities and their cultures, and their response to the arrival of Alexander III and the Macedonians.
3. Evaluate the way in which sources from the period were received and re-used within the ancient world.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Communicate information and ideas clearly and persuasively.
5. Critically evaluate and compare perspectives on and approaches to analysis of the primary evidence.
6. Construct a well-structured argument that is backed by evidence and informed by research.
The module will focus on the study of the period of the reign of Alexander III of Macedon 336-323BCE including: the local societies and cultures of Anatolia, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, Baktria, and India, and the impact of the arrival of the Macedonians into these cultures, which stretch from Africa to India. A wide range of ancient material to be studied including: historical sources, literature, mythology, numismatics, epigraphy, archaeology, art and architecture.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 12 | 1 | 12 |
| Seminar | 6 | 1 | 6 |
| Private study hours | 182 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 18 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
This module offers students frequent opportunities for formative feedback to support their progress and enhance their learning experience.
Supervision Presentations and Discussions: The group supervisions provide a collaborative environment where students can present and debate their interpretations of primary and secondary sources related to Alexander the Great. These discussions allow for immediate verbal feedback from the instructor and peers on their analytical approaches and argumentation. This is supplemented for the presenters with written feedback forms from peers and tutor.
Essay Plan Feedback: Prior to the final essay submission, students will have the option to submit a detailed essay plan, outlining their thesis, structure, and key sources. The instructor will provide feedback on the plan, offering guidance on improving argument coherence, evidence integration, and engagement with scholarship.
Source Analysis Exercises: During the seminars, students will engage in structured source analysis tasks and discussion, applying critical methods to ancient texts or material evidence. Feedback will focus on their ability to evaluate source reliability, context, and relevance to key themes.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 70 |
| Coursework | Presentation | 30 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Verbal presentation will take the form of a recorded Powerpoint (or similar presentation software if the student chooses) of no more than 7.5 minutes’ length, with appropriate slides/visual aids. This will be focussed on particular ancient material (e.g. a single inscription, text or set of sources) to be decided in conjunction with the module leader. Essay will be an essay on a question chosen from a list provided by the module leader which will offer opportunities for synoptic reflection across the whole module.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 25/04/2025
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