1. Alexander the Great & Hellenistic Culture

2. Setting the Scene…
After the Peloponnesian War, many Greek city-states were severely WEAKENED
Rapid decline in military & economic power
What are your predictions for ancient Greece???

3. Macedonia

4. Macedonia Large kingdom north of Greece Ruled by King Philip II
Wanted to take control of Greece, as well as Persia

5. Macedonia
In order to take control of Greece Phillip II trained a deadly army
Meanwhile in Greece…

6. Macedonian Rule
The Greeks realized that Philip was a threat, but could not agree on a course of action
By the time an agreement had been made, it was too late
King Philip successfully defeated Greece!

7. Macedonian Rule
Greece was no longer independent; under Macedonian control
When King Philip II died his son took control of the empire
Alexander the Great

8. Macedonian Rule
Alexander was determined to carry out the second part of his father’s plan
INVADE PERSIA…

9. Alexander the Great

10. Accomplishments Successfully conquered Persia
Successfully conquered/liberated Egypt from Persian control; founded the city of Alexandria

11. Failures Attempted to conquer India, but eventually failed
After reaching Babylon, Alexander the Great died at the age of 32

14. Alexander’s Legacy HUGE CULTURAL IMPACT
Blended many different cultures
Resulted in a NEW culture:
Hellenistic Culture

15. Alexander’s Legacy Hellenistic Culture:
Greek + Persian + Egyptian + Indian influences

16. Hellenistic Culture

17. A New Language? New Language:
Koine (comes from the Greek word for ‘common’)
Allowed for a common means of communication throughout the Hellenistic world

18. Trade & Diversity Alexandria, Egypt: Located on the Nile River
The cultural & trading center of Hellenistic civilization

19. Science & Technology
Scholars in Alexandria preserved Greek & Egyptian learning in the sciences

20. Science & Technology Scientific Achievements:
Sun BIGGER than the earth
Earth & other planets REVOLVE around sun
The circumference of earth
(estimated 28,000; actual size  25,000)

21. Mathematics Euclid: Geometry Archimedes: Value of Pi, law of the lever
Pythagoras:
Pythagorean Theorem

22. Sculpture Flourished during the Hellenistic Age
Statues were made to honor gods, commemorate heroes & portray ordinary people in everyday situations

23. Winged Victory of Samothrace.
Laocoön

24. Decline of Hellenistic Culture

25. The Decline By 150 BC Hellenistic civilization was in decline…
A new city called ROME was growing & gaining strength during this time

26. The Decline
Through the city of Rome, Greek drama, architecture, sculpture & philosophy were preserved
The CORE of western civilization…