Chapter 6 Section 5 The Spread of Greek Culture

To assassinate means to murder for political reasons. A barbarian is a wild, uncivilized person. To assassinate means to murder for political reasons.

Alexander The Great was the king of Macedonia from 336 to 323 B. C Alexander The Great was the king of Macedonia from 336 to 323 B.C. He was the conqueror of Persia and Egypt and the invader of India.

Hellenistic describes the Greek history or culture after the death of Alexander the Great, including the three main kingdoms formed by the break up of Alexander’s empire.

King Philip of Macedonia paid for many tutors for his son, Alexander King Philip of Macedonia paid for many tutors for his son, Alexander. One of Alexander’s tutors was the Greek philosopher, Aristotle. Alexander thought of himself as Greek, but the Greeks did not accept the people of Macedonia. They were looked upon as barbarians by the people of Sparta and Athens, which was to the south of Macedonia. King Philip

King Philip changed Macedonia in 359 B. C King Philip changed Macedonia in 359 B.C. from a poor and divided city to a united nation that had a stronger army than Sparta. With his strong army, and a talent for waging war, Philip captured one city-state after another. Philip planned to attack Persia, but his plans were cut short by being assassinated, or murdered for political reasons, by a rival in 336 B.C. His son, Alexander, became king at the age of 20. History would eventually recognize him as Alexander the Great, king of Macedonia from 336 to 323 B.C.

Alexander’s conquests Alexander’s first conquest came when he invaded Persia. Within 11 years, the Macedonian King conquered a huge area including Persia, Egypt, and lands beyond the Indus River. to the east. https://youtu.be/AEhGEUnFsUM

Alexander’s energy and military genius helped him to be a successful leader. He drove himself hard and his army, too. They conquered many lands at a remarkable speed. The men in his army wanted to return home, but he ignored their pleas. They continued on under his command and conquered many cities.

Alexander named Many cities after himself such as Alexandria or Alexandropolis. He never stayed in a city for long, but continued on, never losing a battle. After many years of travel and battle, Alexander’s army was exhausted. Not far beyond the Indus River, his troops refused to go on. Alexander was angry, but he turned back. Alexander got as far as Babylon when he became sick with a fever and died. In 323 B.C, only 13 years after he became king, Alexander the Great’s time as king ended. His conquests spread Greek culture throughout a vast area. https://app.discoveryeducation.com/learn/videos/94fe1e44-e6f3-4f97-9125-345d5808ec0e?hasLocalHost=false

The Hellinistic Age Within 50 years, Alexander’s empire broke into three main kingdoms after his Death. Greek culture remained alive in the three kingdoms. Hellenistic describes Greek history and culture after the death of Alexander the Great. Hellenistic comes from the word Hellas- the name the Greeks gave their land. The Hellinistic Kingdoms The cities in the Hellenistic world were modeled after Greek cities. Greek kings ruled Greeks held the most important positions Greek temples and agoras were in these cities Citizens gathered at large theaters like old tragedies Greek language was spoken in addition to local languages

Greek Culture in Egypt The greatest Hellenistic city was Alexandria in Egypt. Was founded by Alexander in 332 B.C. at the edge of the Nile Delta. Alexandria became the capital of Egypt. Alexandria was a center for business and trade The double harbor contained a huge lighthouse that rose about 350 feet into the air and contained a flame in the top to guide ships safely into port. Alexandria was the learning capital of the Greek world. Alexandria’s library was the largest in the world.

Lighthouse at Alexandria

Library at Alexandria

Math and Science also flourished in Alexandria Around 300 B.C., a mathematician named Euclid invented geometry. Geometry helps explain such figures as squares, angles, triangles, cubes, and cones.

In Hellenistic times, many scholars knew Earth was round In Hellenistic times, many scholars knew Earth was round. One scholar, named Eratosthenes was able to calculate the distance around Earth. It was very close to the distance scientists have determined today.

Around 250 B.C., a scientist named Aristarchus of Samos concluded that Earth revolved around the sun. At this time, most people believed the Earth was the center of the universe.