Alexander and the Hellenistic Kingdoms Chapter 4 Section 5 Alexander and the Hellenistic Kingdoms

Objectives Identify the threat of Macedonia Analyze the Conquest of Alexander the Great

The Threat of Macedonia The Greeks viewed their northern neighbors, the Macedonians, as barbarians. Macedonians were rural people, organized in groups, not city-states. In 359 B.C. Philip II came to the throne. built a powerful army and turned Macedonia into the chief power in the Greek world by the end of the 5th century. Philip II was a great admirer of Greek culture, and longed to unite all of Greece under Macedonia.

Fearing Philip II, the Athenians allied with Greek states and fought the Macedonians at the Battle of Chaeronia. They were crushed by the Macedonians. Philip ended the freedom of the Greek city-states, and insisted that the Greeks form a league and cooperate to fight against Persia.

Philip II

Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great Only 20 when he became king. In 334 B.C., Alexander entered the weakened, but still strong Persian empire in Asia Minor. 333 B.C: freed the Ionian Greek city-states. By winter of 332 B.C., Syria, Palestine, and Egypt were under his control. He built Alexandria as the Greek capital of Egypt.

Continued conquering, moving as far as modern day Pakistan. In 331 B.C., Alexander turned east and fought the Persians at Gaugamela, taking possession of the rest of the Persian Empire. Continued conquering, moving as far as modern day Pakistan. In 326 B.C. with weary soldiers, he agreed to return home, traveling through very difficult land, including the deserts of southern Iran.

Alexander returned to Babylon, where he planned more campaigns. However, in June 323 B.C., Alexander died at the age of 32.

Conclusion What did you learn today?

Objectives: Explain the Legacy of Alexander the Great List the varieties of Culture, including Art and Literature Analyze the Importance of the Hellenistic Kingdom

Legacy of Alexander Great military leader- master of strategy and tactics, brave, reckless, inspirational. Extended Greek and Macedonian rule over a large area, which stimulated the economy. Alexander’s successors tried to imitate him. Also left a cultural legacy Greek language, architecture, literature and art spread throughout Southwest Asia and the Near East and vice versa.

The Hellenistic Kingdoms Hellenistic is devised from the Greek words meaning “to imitate Greeks”. The united empire created by Alexander fell apart soon after his death. Four Hellenistic kingdoms emerged; Macedonia, Syria (in the east), Pergamum (in western Asia minor) and Egypt.

Hellenistic monarchs made Greek and Macedonians the ruling class. Non- Greek government officials had to learn Greek. New population centers emerged, and varied in size, with Alexandria the largest city in the Mediterranean region by 1st century B.C.

Hellenistic Culture Period of considerable accomplishments, especially in science and philosophy. Alexandria became the home to poets, writers, philosophers, and scientists. The library in Alexandria became the largest in ancient times, with more than 500,000 scrolls. Encouraged a careful study of literature and language Pergamum, the most important city in Asia Minor, had the second largest library.

Architecture and Sculpture The founding of new cities and rebuilding of old cities created great opportunities for architecture. The building characteristics of Greek homeland lined the streets of the new cities. Both kings and rich citizens patronized sculptures. Sculpture maintained the technical skill, but moved away from idealism and classicalism to a more emotional and realistic art.

Literature Writing talent was held in high extreme. Unfortunately, little survives. Appolonius of Rhodes wrote an epic poem called the Argonautica. Theocritus wrote short poems that expressed a love of nature and appreciation of natural beauty. Athens remained the center of Greek theatre. A new form of comedy emerged that sought only to entertain and amuse. Menander was the most successful playwright.

Conclusion What did you learn today?

Objectives: Examine the Science and Philosophy of the Hellenistic Kingdom

Science Astronomy and mathematics were two areas of progress. Aristarchus of Samos- developed the theory that the sun is at the center of the universe. Referred to as the Copernicus of Antiquity. Eratosthenes determine the earth was round and calculated it to within 185 miles of the actual figure.

Archimedes is perhaps the most famous. The mathematician Euclid wrote the Elements, a textbook on plane geometry that has been used up to modern times. Archimedes is perhaps the most famous. Known for work in geometry of spheres and cylinders, value of pi, and specific gravity.

Philosophy New systems of thought, Epicureanism and Stoicism, strengthened Athens’ reputation as a philosophical center. Epicurus, the founder of Epicureanism, believed that human beings were free to follow self-interest. Happiness was the goal of life, freedom comes from a mind at rest, and pleasure is freedom from worry.

Stoicism is another school of thought, founded by Zeno. Like Epicureanism, Stoicism was concerned with how people find happiness. In Stoicism, happiness could only be achieved when people gained inner peace by living in harmony with God.

Conclusion Free-write: Hellenistic Kingdoms

Classwork Page 143 1-6, no #3 Section 5 Review Quiz