Alexander the Great
The goat is the king of Greece, and the great horn between his eyes is the first king.
Key words
- Epic: a story or event of great significance, often involving heroic deeds or memorable adventures
The novel is an epic tale of love and betrayal set in ancient Rome.
- Homage: a show of respect or honor, often through a tribute or gesture
The artist's latest painting pays homage to the works of the Renaissance masters.
- Immerse: to involve deeply in a particular activity or subject
She decided to immerse herself in learning a new language over the summer.
- Renowned: well-known and highly respected, famous for a particular quality or achievement
The chef is renowned for her innovative culinary creations.
- Idiomatically: in a way that contains or consists of an idiom
I'll tell you tomorrow could be translated idiomatically as "I'll sleep on it".
Comprehension Questions
- Where does the word 'Pharma' come from?
- Where did the numerical system based on the number 60 (dividing hours into 60 minutes and minutes into 60 seconds) come from?
- How many prophetic visions are there in the Book of Daniel?
- Who were the Diadochi?
Blurb
Alexander the Great is an upper-intermediate graded reader that brings language learning to life through the joy of reading. Aimed at mature learners of English, it builds vocabulary, strengthens grammar, and increases reading fluency—all while exploring the roots of Western civilization.
This engaging book offers a compelling overview of Alexander the Great, who became king of Macedonia at twenty and forged the largest empire the world had ever seen by thirty-two. It covers his military conquests, the fusion of Greek and Asian cultures, and the far-reaching impact of his reign.
Readers will discover fascinating insights—such as Old Testament references to Alexander and the Greek origin of the word Judaism. The book recounts how religious leaders in Jerusalem welcomed Alexander as a fulfillment of prophecy and explores ancient literature about him that continues to shape global politics today.
Part of the Anglo-Christian series by Eddy Robins, this book is designed to educate, entertain, and edify while helping learners improve their English through rich historical content. Eddy is a seasoned EFL educator and content creator, with experience teaching in Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kuwait, Thailand, the UK, and online to students around the world.
Introduction
This book is part of the Anglo-Christian series, which explores the language, history, and culture of the English-speaking world from a Christian perspective. It is written for upper-intermediate learners of English who want to build their vocabulary, grammar, and reading fluency while learning about the past and how it still shapes the present.
In this volume, we focus on Alexander the Great, one of the most influential leaders in world history. Born in Macedonia in the 4th century BC, Alexander conquered a vast empire stretching from Greece to India before his early death at the age of thirty-two. His military campaigns spread Greek language and culture across the ancient world, leaving a legacy that can still be seen today.
But Alexander is not only a figure of history. He also appears—sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly—in ancient Jewish texts, including the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament.
Each chapter of this book presents historical facts, cultural background, and biblical references in accessible English. Along the way, you'll learn key vocabulary in context and encounter new ideas that challenge and inspire. You will also come across discussion questions that encourage deeper reflection and conversation with others.
Whether you are reading this book for self-study or in a classroom, we hope you will enjoy discovering more about Alexander the Great and his surprising connections to the Bible. Through this journey, you will not only improve your English—you will also gain insight into the foundations of Western civilization and the stories that continue to shape our world.
