Alexander the Great

Macedonia After the Peloponnesian War, Greece was divided and weak. Macedonia, the Greek “hillbillies” to the north, was growing in power

Philip II 359 B.C. Philip II becomes king Unites Macedonia and reorganizes the army Quickly conquers Greece (all except Sparta) 4. Assassinated 336 B.C.

Alexander Becomes king at age 20 Learned warfare and politics from father, mother and his tutor Aristotle

Campaigns 334 B.C. Alexander leads a small but well trained and loyal army into Persia 333 B.C. defeats Persians at Issus 332 B.C. siege of Tyre 332 B.C. conquers Syria and goes to Egypt, where he is made Pharaoh 331 B.C. finishes Persian army at Gaugamela

The end of Alexander Alexander tries to go into India, but his troops refuse to continue 323 B.C. Dies on the way home at age 33

Divided Alexander had no heir His generals fought for control of his empire Empire divided into 4 parts

Hellenism Alexander helped create a new culture in the areas he conquered: Hellenism Hellenism means “to imitate Greeks”

Hellenistic Achievements Government Democracy disappears; monarchy is back! Philosophy Epicureanism-pursue happiness and avoid pain Stoicism- detach from emotion Changes in art, literature and science Laocoon and Sons