Write a Short Paper (1,000 words).

You must hand in a Short Paper on a topic set in the tutorial discussion questions for either Week
2 or Week 3. This assignment is to be handed in on or before 0900 Monday of Week 4.

The short paper is an exercise in careful and critical reading of documentary sources. Their aim
is to develop skills of analysis and deduction, and the ability to write a lucid short answer to a
precise question. They are not primarily exercises in the collection of the opinions of others, even
if those others are great scholars, but you should read widely and refer to modern scholarship
where relevant. The assignments will be marked primarily on your understanding of the sources
themselves.

Please note that essay form is required for all work submitted. Point form or extended notes are
not good enough. Footnotes should be given, and should conform to the rules laid out in "Essay
Presentation & Conventions: Style Guide".

Write on one of these two titles:

1. Why did Alexander set out to invade Persian territory?

or

2. Can you find any general consistency across Alexanders dealings with Thebes, Aspendus,
Sardis, Ephesus and Chios? If so, what is it? If not, what differing factors conditioned his
actions?

See Week 2 materials for bibliography and ideas relating to Q1, and Week 3 materials for
bibliography and ideas relating to Q2.

Checklist before you submit:

1. Is your name in the document?

2. Is the essay question (as it appears on this page!) on the document?

3. Have you used ancient sources? (make sure you refer to them with book and section
numbers!)

4. Have you used scholarly modern sources? (no Wikipedia, about.com, ancient.eu,
Encyclopaedia Britannica, or blogs. Chances are that if you've not accessed the source
through the library, it's not written by an authority.)
5. Do you clearly answer the question? (provide a good thesis statement; make sure every
paragraph clearly relates to your thesis)

6. Have you read the ancient history style guide? (do you know how to cite ancient sources?
Do you know how to present them in the bibliography? Do you know which style you are
using for modern sources?)