Download - Alexander the great to the hellenistic era
The Macedonians
• Frontier state north of the Greek penninsula.
• 359-336 BCE King Philip II:– Strong military, big sights.– 338 BCE: Conquers all of Greece.– 336 BCE: Assassinated.
Alexander
• 336 BCE: Inherits the throne.• 333 BCE: Conquers Ionia and
Anatolia.• 330 BCE: Conquers Persia.• 327 BCE: Conquers Indus?
Hellenistic Culture
• An era when Greek cultural traditions expand their influence beyond Greece (Hellas) itself.
• Greek, Egyptian, Persian, and Indian.• Integrate societies and economies.• Cultural blending and diffusion.• What are the benefits of empire?• What are the detractions of empire?
Politically
• 275 BCE: After the death of Alexander, empire divided into three:– Antigonus: Greece and Macedonia.– Ptolemy: Egypt– Seleucus: Anatolia to Indus.
Ptolemaic Egypt
• Wealthiest: Agriculture, industry, and taxes.
• Alexandria and megalopolis.
Seleucid Empire
• Former Persian Empire.• The “suburbs” of the Greek empire.
Economically
• Large empire allows for trade to expand.
• Caravans and Persia and Bactria (India).
• Seas and Mediterranean Empire.• Rise of luxury products.
Hellenistic Culture
• In Hellenistic cities, individuals:– Spoke Greek.– Dressed according to Greek fashion.– Greek art and sculpture.
• AND:– Observe their own customs and traditions.
• No more loyalty to the polis!!!!• Cultural and religious loyalty!
Alexandria: The NYC of the Ancient World
• Egyptian city.• Center of Hellenistic culture.• Center of commerce.• 500,000 international occupants.• Breathtaking.• Avenues, statues, library, lighthouse,
museum.• Alexander and the glass coffin.
Culture
• Philosophy: Zeno and Stoicism vs. Epicurus and Epicureanism. Skeptics?????
• History: Seven Wonders of the World, Herodotus.– What does it mean when a culture begins
to look back?
• Art: Realism.• Religion: Mysticism, Cult of Osiris.
The Seven Wonders of the World
• How do the Seven Wonders of the World represent Hellenistic values?– Multi-cultural.– Wealth.– Empire.– Legacy.– Larger than life.