This document provides instructions for an assignment on the influence of ancient Greek culture on Western civilization. Students must choose one of three essay prompts focusing on how Greek wars transformed Athens, having an ancient Greek character discuss similarities and differences between their society and the modern world, or how Alexander the Great conquered Greece and shaped the Hellenistic world. The response must incorporate at least one primary and one secondary source, stay on topic, and include citations. Students must also reply substantively to two peers and their instructor.

1. Western civilization (Europe and the US) owes much of its
cultural, political and social heritage to the Greeks and later to
the Hellenization of culture brought to the rest of the world by
the conquest of Alexander the Great. This is what you will be
examining in this discussion. To be successful here, you must
understand the main points of the eText: The Greeks and the
Exploration on the Hellenization of the Western World.
Instructions
Select one (only one!) topic from the below and write a
response to the prompt by the initial post due date.
Option 1:
Based on at least one primary and one secondary source (not
your e-text) explain how the Persian War and the Peloponnesian
War transformed Athens? Were these transformations beneficial
or not, and why? Provide at least one specific historical
example.
Option 2:
Choose a role in ancient Greek society from the 5th – 4th
century BCE (500 BCE – 301 BCE). Based on at least two
sources (primary or secondary, not your eText), and staying in
character, assume your character traveled through time to the
present day.
Identify yourself by name, gender, and role in ancient Greece.
What similarities to your own (ancient) society do you note?
What differences?

2. Explain why you think these similarities and differences might
exist.
Option 3:
Based upon at least one secondary source (not your e-text)
answer the following questions: Upon taking the throne of
Macedonia, Alexander found Greece to be an easy prey. Why?
In what ways did Alexander inspire loyalty in his people and
what legacy did he leave for the future? How did this shape the
Hellenistic world?
Make sure to incorporate historical evidence from the sources
and source types noted in the prompt to support your points and
use proper citations. You may use sources other than those
found in the Recommended Resources, but you should write at
least 300 words in your response.
Reply to at least two other students' posts with substantive
responses of at least 100 – 150 words, and be sure to reply
briefly to your instructor as well.
Includes at least two quotes or paraphrases as evidence from
relevant sources of the type required in prompt; includes
properly formatted citations and a bibliography of sources in
one of the approved formats (MLA, APA, or Chicago Style for
Humanities.
One option selected (if multiple options included in prompt).
Answer is thoughtful and complete and answers the question
directly with no errors in content; answer meets or exceeds the

3. guidelines in terms of word count.
Two substantive posts that meet or exceed the word count
guidelines left for other students by due date; comments further
conversation regarding topic content. At least one substantive
reply made to instructor. (will post after this first post gets
done) for responses to peers.