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Factual: History

Series 2

Historian Michael Scott takes a global view of familiar historical dates.

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Spin the Globe: Series 2

Spin the Globe: Series 2: Episode 3: 323BC - The Death of Alexander the Great

Episode 3

Episode 3: 323BC - The Death of Alexander the Great

323BC - The Death of Alexander the Great

BBC Radio 4 - Spin the Globe, Series 2, 323BC - The Death of Alexander the Great

Michael Scott spins the globe in 323BC, the year in which Alexander the Great died.

Michael Scott explores the shattering impact of Alexander the Great's sudden death on the ancient Greek world and events beyond his influence.

In the last of the current series of Spin the Globe Historian Michael Scott goes back to the Ancient World. In 323 BC China's warring states continue to strive for dominance. The Nanda dynasty of Northern India, still reeling from the shock of Alexander the Great's assault on its northern territories, is close to collapse in the face of the legendary leadership of Chandragupta Maurya. In the distant and uncharted West a mysterious collection of islands is circumnavigated by the extraordinary explorer and Geographer Pytheas of Massalia, providing the first clear idea of the extent and civilisations of the British Isles. And yet in a European world dominated by the civilisations of Ancient Greece it's a year shattered by the death of Alexander the Great. At the height of his powers with plans for further expeditions to the South and West the relatively young commander dies under circumstances that remain a mystery to this day. However, there's no mystery to the impact his death would have from the Iberian peninsula in the West to the Ganga valley in the east.

Producer: Tom Alban.

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Series 2

Episode 3: 323BC - The Death of Alexander the Great

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