Alexander & the Hellenistic Era CHAPTER 4 SECTION 5 CIRCA 350 B.C.E.

Macedonians Invade Greece  As the Greeks city-states weakened as a result of fighting the Peloponnesian War, a new kingdom arose in the Northern part of the Greek peninsula. - Macedonians stayed out of Greek affairs and never adopted the city state model, they were viewed as Barbarians by the Greeks.

Philip II & Alexander  In 359 B.C.E., Philip II became the emperor of Macedonia. Though not Greek, Macedonians always admired Greek culture. Philip II sought to unite all of Greece by force.  The Greek City-states led by Athens fought to maintain their independence from the Macedonians. However they were soon defeated at the battle of Chaeronea.  Under Philip II all of Greece was unified. Greek city states were now part of a league with Macedonia, losing their independence and autonomy.

Alexander the Great  After unifying Greece Philip II now had his sights set on attacking the Persian Empire. He was soon assassinated, and the task fell to his 20 year old son, Alexander.  Philip would take his young son on military expeditions and from an early age Alexander learned the military strategy and tactics. This education would prove useful in later years.

Alexander the Great

Alexander’s Conquest  Motivated by his fathers wishes as well as wanting to seek revenge from the Persians for Burning Athens, Alexander began his conquest by marching into Asia Minor to free the Ionian Greek States. - With a force of 37,000 men, not only did he take back the Ionian Greek city-states, but he also took the Persian territories of Syria, Palestine, & Egypt. * Alexander established a Greek capital in Egypt which he named Alexandria. It would be the first in a series of cities Alexander would name after himself.

Alexander’s Conquest  Alexander’s conquest would not stop with the acquisition of these Persian territories. He continued pushing towards the East, eventually overtaking the all of the Persian territory.  He would move as far East as modern day India, and only stopped because his troops refused to go further.  By taking over the territory from the Persian, Alexander’s Macedonian empire was now the largest in the Western world.

Macedonian Empire

Alexander’s Legacy  As a result of Alexander’s aggressive expansion of his Macedonian empire. He brought great wealth thanks in large part to the silver & golden acquired from the conquered territories.  Also as a result of his conquest. Alexander's was able to spread Greek literature, language, & architecture. Politics however did not spread. Though Greece maintained the city-state model monarchies were set up in the new territories.

The Hellenistic Era  Hellenistic, meaning ti imitate Greeks, is the name given to the era following Alexander’s spread of Greek culture.  Following Alexander's death, the territories he unified soon were divided into 4 Kingdoms, due to infighting amongst Alexander’s general. 1. Macedonia 2. Syria 3. Pergamum 4. Egypt

The Hellenistic Era  Though Alexander wanted to integrate Persians into his empire. The leaders of the 4 kingdoms only relied on Greeks & Macedons to rule.  The spreading of Greek culture continued during the Hellenistic era going into SE & Central Asia into modern day Afghanistan & India.  Greek Art & Literature were heavily prompted during the Hellenistic Era. In Alexandria, Greece a library held of over 500,000.  Examples of Greek sculptors & architecture can be seen in around the 4 Hellenistic Kingdoms.

Science  New theories in science were born in this era which can be seen in the advancements in astronomy & Mathematics. - One astronomer suggested that the Earth revolved around the sun which went against the common theory that the Earth was the center of the universe. * Archimedes is credited establish the value of Pi and also advancements in geometry.