1. The Spread of Greek Culture
The Macedonians
and
Alexander the Great

2. The Spread of Greek Culture
Macedonia
Region in North-Central mainland Greece
According to legend founded by people from Argos
Macedonians consider themselves Greek, other Greeks do not.
Viewed as barbarians
Generally poor and divided

3. The Spread of Greek Culture
Philip II
Studied in Southern Greece
Diplomacy and Military
Appointed regent after older brothers die
Takes throne from nephew
Unites Macedonia
Uses diplomacy and military might to make Macedonia powerful

4. The Spread of Greek Culture
Macedonian Military under Philip II
Macedonian Phalanx
Slightly different than traditional Spartan
Used Sarissa (longer spear ft. long)
Flip-flopping alliances

5. The Spread of Greek Culture
Macedonian Military under Philip II
(Don’t write this) “He is always taking in more, everywhere casting his net ‘round us, while we sit idle and do nothing. When, Athenians, will you take the necessary action? What are you waiting for?” -Demosthenes

6. The Spread of Greek Culture
Macedonian Military under Philip II
End of Philip II
338 B.C. Athens and Thebes join to stop them
Unsuccessful
After conquers Greece plans to invade Persia
336 B.C. Assassinated
Killed by bodyguard at theater

7. The Spread of Greek Culture
The rise of Alexander the Great
Alexander III of Macedonia ( B.C.)
Inherited throne at age 20 after father (Philip) killed
Legends about his birth and childhood
At 13 began to be tutored by Aristotle
Philip rebuilt town as payment

8. The Spread of Greek Culture
The rise of Alexander the Great
At 16 tutoring ended
While Philip was away at war, left Alex as regent and heir apparent
Revolt in southern kingdom, Alex drives them out
Establishes Alexandropolis

9. The Spread of Greek Culture
Ruler of Macedonia and beyond
First thing after Philip dies – consolidates power
Has potential rivals killed
Subjugated city-states rebel (including Thebes and Athens)
Alex leads cavalry South
Very little real fighting

10. The Spread of Greek Culture
Ruler of Macedonia and beyond
Secures northern and southern boarders
1 yr. back and forth
Invades Persian Empire
Huge force (48K soldiers, 6K cavalry, 120 ships with 38K sailors)
Battle of Granicus
1st major battle
Victorious, learns a lot

11. The Spread of Greek Culture
Ruler of Macedonia and beyond
Invades Persian Empire (continued)
The Battle of Issus
Alex outnumbered ~2/1
Persians defeated, King Darius III flees
Generous to those he conquered
The Siege of Tyre
Alex given land extending to Euphrates River, money, and a wife

12. The Spread of Greek Culture
The India Campaign
Moves into Egypt – Mesopotamia – India
Uses both “diplomacy” and military to conquer
Most joined out of fear
327 Alexander wounded in the shoulder and ankle
Very bloody campaign

13. The Spread of Greek Culture
The India Campaign
Battle of the Hydaspes
326 B.C., Vs. King Porus
12K dead, 9K POWs
Alexander impressed with Porus, makes him the satrap (ruler) of the region
Mutiny and Return
Hyphasis River, men are tired and worried about large armies further East

14. The Spread of Greek Culture
The end of Alexander
On the way home
set satraps straight (executions)
Took care of his soldiers
June 323 B.C. died
In Babylonian palace
Many theories about his death
assassination via poison, water poisoning, malaria, typhoid fever

15. The Spread of Greek Culture
After Alexander
No heir
Fighting and quarreling for ~ 50 years
Empire divided into three kingdoms
Greece and Macedonia, Egypt, and Persia
Ruled by former commanders

16. The Spread of Greek Culture
The Hellenistic Age
323 – 146 B.C.
From the death of Alexander to Greece being conquered by the Romans
Hellenistic – describes Greek history and culture after Alexander’s death
Hellas- what the Greeks called their land

17. The Spread of Greek Culture
The Hellenistic Age
New cities built through out new kingdoms
Greek soldiers stay and settle, traders and artisans follow.
Alexander’s vision of integrated cultures realized
Cultural Diffusion

18. The Spread of Greek Culture
The Hellenistic Age
Alexandria, Egypt
Founded by Alexander in 332 B.C.
Center for business and trade
Lighthouse at Alexandria
Center for learning, largest library in the ancient world

19. The Spread of Greek Culture
The Hellenistic Age
Math and Science
Euclid (Yoo-klid) develops geometry
Eratosthenes calculates the circumference of the Earth. Only off by ~300k miles
Round Earth
Archimedes develops pulleys and levers