The Age of Alexander & the Spread of Hellenism

323-30 BC

Chapter 5 Sections 4 & 5

Goals• Understand how Alexander’s conquests influenced

the development & spread of Hellenism, and how Hellenism has influenced culture today.

1) How did the Greeks View the Macedonians?

• Macedonia – little kingdom north of the peninsula of Greece

• Greeks looked down on Macedonians – no culture, uncivilized

2) How did Philip II organize his army?

• Macedonian king Philip II – brilliant general, politician– King @ 23 years old

• Reformed the army- Strict training

- Phalanxes of 16 x 16- Long spears- Fast-moving cavalry

Isocrates tells Philip to Invade Greece

• Philip II knew Greek city-states were vulnerable after wars

IsocratesPhilip II

Philip, you need to conquer and unite the Greek

city-states!

Philip could then move on to the wealthy Persian Empire

• Demosthenes - Athenian orator – warned Greeks over and over about Philip II

“For the sake of ruling and wielding power, he (Philip) has had an eye knocked out, his shoulder smashed, his leg and hand mutilated; he jettisons whatever part of his body fate wants to take away, just so long as he can live in honor and glory with what is left.”

His warnings work – but too late…

3) Why were the Greeks unable to unite against Philip?

• City-states could not agree on single policy• However, Athens & Thebes join forces against Philip

II• Thebes’ “Sacred Band”

"For men of the same tribe or family little value one another when dangers press; but a band cemented by friendship grounded upon love is never to be broken, and invincible; since the lovers, ashamed to be base in sight of their beloved, and the beloved before their lovers, willingly rush into danger for the relief of one another."

4) What was the outcome of the Battle

of Chaeronea?

• Macedonia defeats the Greeks at Battle of Chaeronea– Ends Greek independence

• Philip’s 18 year old son Alexander led a successful cavalry charge to help win the battle

• City-states had to join League of Corinth – alliance to take over Persia

• Philip II assassinated – son Alexander becomes king

Alexander• King @ 21 years old• Tutored by Aristotle• Trained to be an expert in

warfare• Crushed rebellion

of Thebes – destroyed city as example

5) What plan of his father’s does Alexander want to carry out?

• Invade Persia!• Led army into

Anatolia• Crushed Darius III’s Persian army at Granicus & Issus

6) How was Alexander welcomed in Egypt?

• Egyptians saw Alex as liberator from Persian rule– Given name “Pharaoh” or

god-king– Founded city of Alexandria

in Egypt

7) Where was the final battle in which Alexander achieved

victory?• Gaugamela (near ruins of Nineveh)• Persian King Darius III panicked &

fled

8) To which river in the east does Alexander expand his empire before

turning back?• Hydaspes River (in Indus Valley)• Army had low morale – convinced Alex to turn

back• Alex became ill

– Died @ age 32

9) After Alex’s death, how is his empire divided?

• His three top generals fight for empirea)Who was king of Macedonia & Greek city-

states?Antigonus

b) Who seized Egypt & took title of pharaoh?Ptolemy

c) Who took most of old Persian Empire in east?Seleucus

1) The blending of Greek and eastern cultures was known as

____________ culture.• Alex adopted cultures of the people he

conquered • Persian, Egyptian,

& Indian influence

Hellenistic

2) Which city became the foremost center of commerce and Hellenistic

civilization? • Alexandria, Egypt – strategic location• Mixture of cultures & nationalities• Broad avenues lined

w/statues of Greek gods

• Lighthouse• Museum• Library

3) _____________ was an astronomer who incorrectly placed the earth at the center of the solar system.

4) ________________ tried to calculate the earth’s true size.

Ptolemy

Eratosthenes

5) ________________ compiled a geometry text, wrote the Elements, and was a highly regarded mathematician.

6) _________________was a scientist who accurately estimated the value of pi (π) & invented a device that raised water from the ground.

Euclid

Archimedes

7) _____________ was a philosophy founded by Zeno that proposed that people should live virtuous lives in harmony with natural laws that were established to run the universe.

Stoicism

8) ___________________ was a philosophy founded by Epicurus which stated the main goal of humans was to achieve harmony of body and mind.

Epicureanism

Diogenes - Cynicism• “Man is the most intelligent of

the animals - and the most silly.”

• “We have two ears and one tongue so that we would listen more and talk less.”

• “When I look upon seamen, men of science and philosophers, man is the wisest of all beings; when I look upon priests and prophets nothing is as contemptible as man.”

9) What was the difference between Hellenistic sculpture and the sculpture of the classical age?Moved away from harmony

& idealismMore natural, realistic portrayal

of ordinary people

10) Name two famous Hellenistic statues or sculptures.

Nike – Winged Victory of

SamothraceColossus of

Rhodes

Colossus v. Statue of Liberty

Hellenism in Decline• By 150 BC, Hellenism started to

decline• A new city, Rome,

was starting to grow and gain strength