Chapter 9 Hellenistic Civilization

Alexander and the Creation of a World Empire Background facts –Alexander conquered most of known world –Invaded Persian heartland, got as far as India –Troops eventually mutinied, he led them back Mixed culture –Alexander founded new cities, recruited Greeks to come there –Encouraged intermarriage with locals –Result was blended Greek/Asiatic culture –Typically large kingdom with bureaucracy governed by king and subject-inhabitants

Greeks and Easterners in Hellenistic Kingdoms Three successor states, each ruled by former Greek general Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt Seleucid Kingdom of Persia Antigonid Empire

Society and Economy True urban civilization City life –Many slaves, lifelong slavery more common –Many different social and ethnic groups –Feelings of alienation, being uprooted –Greeks were governing class Hellenistic economy –Large scale long-distance enterprises –Manufacturing and commerce were common

-Social Relations - Women’s Status Gradually Rose Played active role in business affairs Held important positions in politics Married women’s rights improved More opportunities for education

Religion Different from Greek, Chinese, Indian religions –Form modeled on Greek beliefs –Content more from Eastern contributions Why did religion change? –Traditional Greek worship was civic ceremony, held no appeal to non-Greeks –Greek immigrants turned more to native cults –Cults offered some promise of eternal life, earthly prosperity, emotional support

Religion Mystery religions –Demanded faith rather than reason –Deities were universal gods Philosophy: three Hellenistic varieties –Mystery religions especially appealing to less educated, poor –Upper class more inclined to turn to philosophy – seemed more realistic

Hellenistic Philosophy Cynicism and Diogenes –Opposite of what we call materialism –Call for return to simplicity, no more divisions Epicureanism and Epicurus –Life should be pleasure (absence of pain) –Reject values, prejudices of others – discover what is important to you –Led to political indifference, withdrawal Stoicism and Zeno –Emphasized brotherhood of man –Good man should work in government to help less fortunate –Emphasized need to serve others, idea that all are equal

Science and the Arts Pursuit of science –Science came into its own in this period –Astronomy – heliocentrism vs. geocentrism –Some medical advances by Empiricists Art and literature –Art –Literature

Discussion Questions 1. Alexander the Great’s empire was enormous, one of the largest in ancient history, yet it did not survive beyond his lifetime. Why did it fall apart so quickly? What problems do you think hastened its demise? Review your answer to the Chapter 7 question about the polis. Now, answer the question again, but referring to the Hellenistic city. What do you see in common between the Hellenistic city and large cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, or Chicago? If you could choose, where would you rather live – New York City today, or Alexandria Egypt in the Hellenistic Age? Why?