Philip II of Macedonia• King of Macedonia at age 23.

Brilliant general and ruthless politician.

• Greeks saw Macedonians as “uncivilized”.

• Wants to reunite and take control of Greece and wants to avenge the Persian invasion of Greece.

• Had well trained army and defeated Athens and Thebes for control. Ends Greek independence.

• Dead at 36. Never invaded Persia.

Alexander the Great

356-323 B.C.E.

Alexander the Great

356-323 B.C.E.

Alexander the Great’s EmpireAlexander the Great’s Empire

Alexander the Great in Persia

Alexander the Great in Persia

MOSAIC STYLE ART

Alexander and invasion of Persia

• Crosses into Persia with cavalry. • Victory over Darius III, even though out numbered.

Element of surprise.• Darius III tries to compromise (all land W of

Euphrates) and Alex says “no, I want it all”.• Goes to Egypt (dislike Persians) and they

announce him as a Pharaoh. • Finally takes Persepolis, Darius on the killed while

on the run.• Continues east to India.

The irony of it all…• Alexander adopts some aspects of Persian culture

and customs.• Takes a Persian wife.• Allows conquered people to join army.• Greek culture becomes a mixture of Greek and

Eastern/Persian customs.

17th century tapestry of Alexander the Great among the Persians

Building Greek Cities in the East

Building Greek Cities in the East

Pergamum:

A New “Hellenis

tic”City

Pergamum:

A New “Hellenis

tic”City

Cosmopolitan

Culture

Trade in the Hellenistic World

Trade in the Hellenistic World

Library at Alexandria (333 B.C.E.)

Library at Alexandria (333 B.C.E.)

Hellenic vs. Hellenistic Art

Hellenic vs. Hellenistic Art

The “Known” World – 3c B.C.E.

The “Known” World – 3c B.C.E.

Hellenism:The Arts & Sciences

Hellenism:The Arts & Sciences$ Scientists /

Mathematicians: Aristarchus heliocentric

theory.

Euclid geometry.

Archimedes pulley.

Ptolemy geocentric theory.

Alexander dies.

• 32 years old.• Cause of death: fever.• Other leaders fight for control.

– Antigonus: gets Macedonia and Greek city-states.

– Ptolemy: becomes Pharaoh of Egypt.– Seleucus: gets Persian empire.

The Breakup of Alexander’s Empire

The Breakup of Alexander’s Empire

The Incursion of Rome into the

Hellenistic World

The Incursion of Rome into the

Hellenistic World