The Greek Empire

The Greek Empire

From Macedonians 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.

Antigonid Empire• Clashes.• Wealthy.• Migration.

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.

So, if Alexander was so great why did Greece collapse?

• Collapse vs. decline• 150 BCE: Hellenistic culture begins to

decline.• Greek civilization lasts from 2000

BCE to 150 BCE.• Why is it hard to maintain an empire?