Alexander and the Hellenistic Age

1/31/05

Introduction

Demosthenes tried to warn the public about King Philip II (King of Macedonia) was bringing Greece under his power

No one paid attention until it was too late

Objectives

The results of Alexander’s conquests Identify why Alexandria was the center of

the Hellenistic world Identify why individuals contributed to

Hellenistic civilization

Macedonian Ambitions

Greeks saw them as backward Rulers were of Greek origin Philip became King in 359 BC Dreamed of conquering lands to the

south Hired Aristotle to tutor his son, Alexander Using threats, bribery, and diplomacy he

formed alliances with Greek city-states.

Battle of Chaeronea- Athena and Thebes join against Philip but they were crushed

Philip wanted to unite and take over Persia

Killed at his daughter’s wedding feast

A Mighty Warrior

Philip’s wife was able to get her son (Alex) on the throne before any of his other kids

Alexander-20 years old Experienced solder Also wanted to invade Persia Darius III was weak, rebellion was

already a factor in Persia

Alexander invaded 334 BC First victory-Granicus River Then moved south to Egypt 331 BC took Babylon and the Persian

capitals Before Alexander could find Darius III, a

satrap killed him and left him in the street Proper burial

Never lost a battle His soldiers were getting too tired and

decided to quit at the Indus River Alexander decided they should go back He died suddenly of a fever “To the strongest”

No one was strong enough The land was divided among 3 generals: Macedonia and Greece Egypt Most of Persia

The Legacy of Alexander

Spread of Greek culture Founded many new cities; with Greek

temples Local people assimilated (absorbed) Alexander married a Persian woman Dressed in Persian attire New culture called the Hellenistic

civilization

Center of civilization was Alexandria, Egypt

Became home to a million people including: Greeks, Egyptians, Persians, Hebrews

Alexander also supported and encouraged learning

Women were no longer restricted to their houses

Hellenistic Civilization

Employed armies of architects and artists

Temples and other building were built Stoicism, most influential school of

philosophy was founded Believed all people were morally equal Pythagoras derived his famous formula

Archimedes developed the lever and the pulley

Hippocrates studied diseases Hippocratic oath set standards for the

future