Alexander III of Macedonia (356BC–323BC), also known as Alexander the Great, is one of history’s greatest military leaders and the founder of the greatest empire the ancient world had ever seen. Charismatic, diplomatic, occasionally ruthless, visionary, he inspired his men to follow him anywhere. In about a decade, he created an empire that stretched across three continents: from Greece to the Punjab region in India, and from the Danube River to Egypt. His vast empire was united by a common Greek language and culture and his reign signalled the beginning of a new historical epoch, known as the Hellenistic Period. In his lifetime, he had already become the subject of fabulous stories, whilst after his death he became the hero of numerous legends in various cultures in the East and the West.
The Immortal Alexander the Great: Reality, Myth, Legacy
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings which take place in Oxford.
Overview
Programme details
Courses starts: 19 Jan 2026
Week 1: introduction to the Topic; Course Requirements; The Rise of Macedonia
Week 2: The Life of Philip II (Alexander’s Father); The Early Years of Alexander
Week 3: Alexander’s Eastern Campaign: Asia Minor
Week 4: Alexander’s Eastern Campaign: Asia Minor and Egypt
Week 5: Alexander’s Eastern Campaign: Persia
Week 6: Alexander’s Eastern Campaign: Persia and India
Week 7: Alexander’s Death; Alexander’s Epigones
Week 8: Alexander’s Epigones; The Hellenistic Kingdoms
Week 9: Alexander in World Literature, Art and Politics
Week 10: Alexander in World Literature, Art and Politics
Recommended reading
All weekly class students may become borrowing members of the Rewley House Continuing Education Library for the duration of their course. Prospective students whose courses have not yet started are welcome to use the Library for reference. More information can be found on the Library website.
There is a Guide for Weekly Class students which will give you further information.
Recommended reading is optional and you are not required to purchase these books to study this course.
Optional preparatory reading:
- Alexander the Great: a very short introduction, OUP 2014 / Bowden, Hugh
- Alexander the Great, Penguin 2004 / Fox, Robin Lane
- History of Macedonia, Oxford 1998 / Hammond, Nicholas
- The Genius of Alexander the Great, Bloomsbury 2004 / Hammond, Nicholas
Certification
Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS) Points
Only those who have registered for assessment and accreditation will be awarded CATS points for completing work to the required standard. Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail. Please follow this link for more information on Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS) points
Digital Certificate of Completion
Students who are registered for assessment and accreditation and pass their final assignment will also be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Information on how to access the digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course attended. You will be able to download the certificate and share it on social media if you choose to do so.
Please note students who do not register for assessment and accreditation during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course fee (with no assessment) | £300.00 |
| Assessment and Accreditation fee | £60.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Tutor
Dr Aphrodite Papayianni
Aphrodite Papayianni holds a PhD in Byzantine History and teaches at the University of London and OUDCE. In the last twelve years, she has enjoyed spells as a Visiting Professor in Universities in Turkey and China. Through the years, Aphrodite has developed a wide teaching portfolio, from Greek Prehistory to the end of Byzantium, and has published articles in various topics of Ancient Greek, Byzantine, post-Byzantine and Crusade History.
Course aims
- To provide a comprehensive introduction to the achievements, myth and legend of Alexander the Great.
- To encourage an enquiring and analytical approach to Alexander's life and deeds.
- To provide an overview of Alexander's influence on different cultures throughout the centuries.
- To enable students to develop a critical understanding of the debates and materials appropriate to the study of Alexander's legend.
Teaching methods
The course is taught by a combination of lectures, seminars and group discussion.
Learning outcomes
- Be able to evaluate aspects of the achievements of Alexander the Great.
- Gain knowledge and understanding of the themes and issues concerning certain aspects of Alexander's achievements and legacy.
- Be able to identify, interpret and evaluate a range of primary visual and written source materials.
Assessment methods
For their summative assessment, students will be invited to write a 1,500 essay or a book review. Students could also submit a 500-word formative assignment (either an analysis of a source extract or commentary on an artefact).
Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation will submit coursework.
Application
To be able to submit coursework and to earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £60 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment form for short courses | Oxford University Department for Continuing Education
Students who do not register for assessment and credit during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.
Level and demands
No previous knowledge on the topic is required.
The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, i.e. first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.