First, think specifically about the facts of topic you have chosen. What sorts of facts, dates and places relate to your topic. What would someone need to know in order to start to think about your subject? For example, if your topic was Alexander the Great, who was he? Who was his father? Where was Macedon? Using the resources, I will give you, summarize briefly the basic facts of your topic.
Second, think about your subject’s place in Greek history more broadly: context. How does Alexander relate to his predecessors as king of Macedon (Phillip) and his successors (Ptolemy, Antigonus, Seleucus) What is the Hellenistic period? What was his relationship to other great figures of the times? Aristotle? Demosthenes?
Third, think about hoe Alexander expmplifies broad trends in Greek history. What historical trends does Alexander’s rise exemplify? How did the rule of Macedon affect the city state? How was he different from a figure such as Pericles?
Finally, in conclusion, simply think briefly about the relationship of your subject to the modern world (your life!) How does Alexander the Great impact life today? For example, why was Alexander important? What were the effects of his conquests? Pick one or two of these questions and try and answer them.
