The Spread of Hellenistic Culture
Objectives
Define Hellenistic Culture
Summarize the major science, philosophies and artistic styles of the Hellenistic period
Vocabulary
Hellenistic:
Hellenistic Culture
Hellenistic: Blending of Greek cultures with those of Persia, Egypt and Central Asia following the conquests of Alexander the Great
Alexandria, EgyptCenter of Hellenistic Spread customs and traditionsbecame center of learning and
scholarship
Library of Alexandria
Contains half million papyrus scrolls
Philosophy, literature, history, and sciences
First research library
Lighthouse of Pharos
Built on Island of Pharos
393-450 feet tallOne of the Seven
Wonders of the Ancient World
1303/1323 AD Destroyed by earthquakes
Astronomy
PtolemyIncorrectly placed earth at center of solar system AristarchusProposed Earth and otherand other planets revolved around
the sunEratosthenes Closely calculated Earth’s true size
Geometry
EuclidBasis for Geometry
ArchimedesCalculated PiLever, Pulley and Screw
ErathosthenesCalculated size of world
Philosophy
CynicismRejected ideas of
pleasure, wealth, and social responsibility
Believed people should live according to nature
StoicismPeople should live
virtuous life in harmony with natural laws
EpicureanismSeek pleasure, avoid pain
Develop close friendships with people of similar ideas
Art
Realism in Sculpture Flourishing of
sculpture Honored gods, heroes,
and ordinary people More realistic than
Ancient Greece, more ordinary
Influence would follow to Rome
Colossus of Rhodes Bronze statue One of the seven
wonders Toppled by earthquake
in 225 B.C.E.Nike of Samothrace (often Winged
Victory)Honor Goddess Nike
Hellenistic Sculpture
The Hellenistic Era/Kingdoms
Four kingdoms emerged after Alexander’s death 1. Macedonia 2. Syria 3. Pergamum (Turkey) 4. Egypt
All eventually were conquered by the Romans
Hellenistic Achievements
Category Achievements
Astronomy
Geometry
Philosophy
Art
Homework
Chart and Vocabulary Terms due Friday at the end of the hour
Quiz on Monday