Hellenistic Greece

Alexander’s Empire on the year of his death

What does mean to be Hellenistic? Hellenistic - The blending of Greek cultures with those of Persia, Egypt, and Central Asia following the conquests of Alexander the Great. Question to Consider: What is an empire? Give the definition and explain how Alexander the Greats’ conquests apply.

Blending Cultures Best way to encourage cultural exchange is through marriage. –Alexander married Roxana of Bactria and Stateira of Persia. –He also did this to legitimize his claims to the Persian Empire. Roxana bore Alexander a posthumous son (child born after the death of a parent). She named the child Alexander IV; unfortunately, he never reaches adulthood because he was murdered in a political plot.

Blending Cultures Cont… Another great way to gain cultural exchange is through trade and education. –When Egypt built the city of Alexandria the most important achievement was the Library of Alexandria, which contained information on: Philosophy Literature History Science Medicine

Life in the Hellenistic World What was the most significant change in Hellenistic society? –Recall: the main political unit of Greece was the city-state. –After Alexander conquers much of the known world the political unit switches to kingdoms. City States Kingdoms

Hellenistic Achievements Philosophy –Cynicism- rejected the ideas of pleasure, wealth, and social responsibility. Instead, they should live according to nature. Withdrew from society. Many gave away possessions and became vagrants or wanderers. They were like homeless people in today’s society. –Epicureans- sought out pleasure, developed close friendships with those that shared similar beliefs Pleasure- Good Pain- Bad or Evil –Stoicism- placed emphasis on reason, self-discipline, emotional control, and personal morality.

Hellenistic Achievements cont… Art and Literature –Art pieces conveyed emotion and movement. Nike of Samothrace was carved in a flowing style. –Literature focuses on everyday lives.

Hellenistic Achievements cont… Science and Technology –Euclid “Father of Geometry” Formulated many of the ideas about geometry that we still use today. –Eratosthenes Calculated the size of the Earth –Archimedes Great Inventor: compound pulley & Mechanical screw for drawing water