MACEDONIAN / ALEXANDRIAN EMPIRE
IN FILM & SERIES
Phase I
359 - 336 BC
Philip II and the Macedonian Engine
Philip II reforms the army - unifies Greece - the springboard for Alexander's campaigns
DOC In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great (1998)
DOC The Search for Alexander the Great (1981)
⟡ Documentary bridge for the Philip II buildup.
Phase II
336 - 334 BC
Alexander's Accession
Assassination of Philip II - Alexander secures Greece - the invasion of Asia begins
FILM Alexander the Great (1956)
FILM Alexander (2004)
DRAMA Alexander: The Making of a God (2024)
⟡ Alexander (2004) Director's Cut is the primary narrative entry.
⟡ The 1956 film is classic but simplified - watch as a historical counterpoint.
Phase III
334 - 331 BC
Asia Minor to Issus
Granicus victory - siege of Tyre - Darius III confronted - Alexander begins to dismantle Persia
FILM Alexander (2004)
FILM Alexander the Great (1956)
⟡ The two films overlap; use 2004 as primary, 1956 for comparison.
Phase IV
331 - 326 BC
Gaugamela, Egypt, and the East
Gaugamela ends Persian resistance - Alexander in Egypt - march through Central Asia into India
FILM Alexander (2004)
FILM Alexander the Great (1980)
FILM Sikandar (1941)
⟡ The 1980 film offers a more intimate, reflective Alexander.
⟡ Sikandar (1941) is the Indian epic focused on the 326 BC campaign.
Phase V
326 - 323 BC
Return, Death, and the Diadochi
Mutiny on the Hyphasis - return to Babylon - Alexander dies at 32 - the generals divide the empire
DOC Alexander the Great (2014)
DOC In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great (1998)
⟡ Use documentaries for the Diadochi transition before moving on.
THE EMPIRE OF ALEXANDER FALLS
323 BC
FILM Feature Film
SERIES TV Series
MINI Miniseries
DOC Documentary
DRAMA Docudrama
⟡ parallel / optional