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WESTERN CIVILIZATIONS
Norton Lecture Slides WESTERN CIVILIZATIONS BRIEF THIRD EDITION by Judith Coffin Robert Stacey Joshua Cole Carol Symes
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The Greek World Expands, 400–150 B.C.E.
Chapter 4
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How do historians account for the remarkable successes of Alexander the Great?
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In what ways does the Hellenistic world resemble the world we live in today? What accounts for these similarities? In what ways does the Hellenistic world resemble the world we live in today? What accounts for these similarities? Click here to play video in external player
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Downfall of the Greek Polis
The Peloponnesian War (431–404 B.C.E.) —Spartan dominance The Corinthian War (395–387 B.C.E.) Failed response to Spartan dominance Followed by pattern of Greek-on-Greek violence The expansion of Greece from polis to cosmopolis is the story of significant, and at times painful, change. One of the most difficult transitions in the course of Hellenic civilization was the point when the Greeks realized that the polis was not compatible with long-term expansion. The effects of this discovery on the Greeks were profound and resulted in despair and cynicism; this was compounded by the fact that between the fifth and third centuries B.C.E., the Hellenic polis gave way to the Hellenistic cosmopolis.
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Downfall of the Greek Polis
The struggle for hegemony Thebes and Sparta Epaminondas and the Battle of Leuctra (371 B.C.E.) Spartan defeat Emergence of Athenian naval confederacy Strife between democrats and oligarchs
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Downfall of the Greek Polis
Social and economic crises Declining wealth Decline in the standard of living Increased taxes and widespread unemployment The problems of mercenary armies
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Downfall of the Greek Polis
The cultural and intellectual response Art and literature Heightened sense of realism Drama in decline compared to fifth century The flight from social and political commentary Art privately funded, control of message Drama as diversion and escape Focus on “safe” topics, avoid controversy Slapstick topics This complicated environment produced two of the most influential philosophers in world history—Plato and his student Aristotle. In his many dialogues, Plato tried to create a world above and beyond the world we perceive with our senses. Aristotle, on the other hand, was a scientist who trusted his senses and believed in the objective reality of all things. Together, Plato and Aristotle fashioned two opposing views of human knowledge: rationalism and empiricism.
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Downfall of the Greek Polis
The cultural and intellectual response Philosophy and political thought in the age of Plato and Aristotle Plato (c. 429–349 B.C.E.) Strove to vindicate Socrates Introduced more structured framework The Academy Wrote a series of dialogues Social harmony more important than individual liberty Government by a superior group of “guardians”
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Downfall of the Greek Polis
The cultural and intellectual response Philosophy and political thought in the age of Plato and Aristotle Aristotle and Aristotelian thought Aristotle (384–322 B.C.E.) Trained as a scientist Trusted his senses and sense perception The highest good is the harmonious functioning of mind and body “Man is by nature a political animal”
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Plato and Aristotle
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The Rise of Macedon and the Conquests of Alexander
The reign of Philip II (359–336 B.C.E.) Stabilized his borders: warfare and diplomacy Reorganized the army The phalanx as fighting machine Dynastic marriages Expansion brought conflict with Athens Battle of Chaeronae (338 B.C.E.) League of Corinth Assassination of Philip During this period, the reigns of Philip II of Macedon and his son, Alexander the Great, were transformative. Philip II stabilized the region’s borders through a combination of warfare and diplomacy; however, he was viewed as an aggressor by some and was ultimately assassinated. Under Alexander, the Greek world expanded as far west as the Indus River, before he died at the age of thirty-three. Alexander’s legacy long outlived him. Alexander and his armies succeeded in Hellenizing the ancient Near East and Egypt, thus mixing Greek ideas and culture with ideas from civilizations with a much lengthier history.
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Philip II of Macedonia
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Macedonian Phalanx
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The Rise of Macedon and the Conquests of Alexander
The conquests and reign of Alexander (336–323 B.C.E.) Visionary, genius, or butcher? Further expansion Difficulty in modern Afghanistan Queen Roxane
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Alexander’s World
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The Rise of Macedon and the Conquests of Alexander
The conquests and reign of Alexander (336–323 B.C.E.) The new empire New cities Mass marriages Breeding a new nobility Installs no administrative apparatus Death of Alexander
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The campaigns of Alexander
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Marble Head of Alexander
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The Hellenistic Kingdoms
Ptolemaic Egypt Most durable kingdom Alexandria Personal enrichment Alexander as pharaoh Seleucid Asia Near Eastern traditions A Hellenized population Planted new cities
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The Hellenistic Kingdoms
Antigonid Macedon and Greece Antigonus Keeping Ptolemaic Egypt and Seleucid Asia at war Aetolian and Achaean Leagues Model of federalism
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The Hellenistic World
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Two Portraits of Ptolemy I of Egypt
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From Polis to Cosmopolis—The Growth of Trade and Urbanization
Long-distance trade Harbors improved Encouragement of industry Explosive population growth Improved standard of living for some Cities Importation of Greek officials and soldiers Alexandria
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From Polis to Cosmopolis—The Growth of Trade and Urbanization
Wealth and poverty Significant economic growth Primarily agricultural economy Manual laborers and artisans largely impoverished
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Hellenistic Worldviews
Stoicism Founded by Zeno of Citium (324–270 B.C.E.) Cosmos is ordered and rational The individual is not the master of his own life Submit to the universal order of things Tranquility of mind The Greeks had lost something in the development from polis to cosmopolis. A period of despair, cynicism, and anxiety ensued; in this atmosphere of dejection came new philosophies. The Stoics taught that there was a divine plan to the cosmos and that in order to find peace, humanity must submit to that order. Duty and self-discipline, then, were the highest Stoic virtues. The Epicureans taught that there was no rational order and that the highest good was pleasure. These modes of thinking were helpful for the citizens, the most literate of Hellenistic culture. The broad masses had different needs. A number of mystery cults developed, the most influential of which was the Persian cult of Mithraism, which had similarities with early Christianity.
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Hellenistic Worldviews
Epicureanism Founded by Epicurus (c. 342–270 B.C.E.) Democritus and atomism There is no ultimate purpose of the universe Highest good is pleasure The wise man should abandon politics
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Hellenistic Worldviews
Skepticism Carneades (c. 213–129 B.C.E.) All knowledge is limited and relative Inability to prove anything Happiness—abandon quest for truth Religion A vehicle for escape Persistence of belief in gods who protected the polis
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Hellenistic Worldviews
Religion “Ordinary” Greeks and personal religion Migration of gods to the Near East and Egypt Combination of Greek and non-Greek cults Greek influence on Jewish communities outside Palestine
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Scientific Revolution of Antiquity: Science and Medicine
Origins Mesopotamian and Egyptian science Hellenistic rulers patronized scientific research Sole motive was prestige One cannot underestimate the influence of the Hellenistic Greeks. Not only did they make startling discoveries in science, including physics, as well as mathematics, geography, and medicine, they also demonstrated that despair and anxiety manifest themselves when traditional values break down. The Hellenistic Age is a transitional one between the ages of the Greeks and the Romans.
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Scientific Revolution of Antiquity: Science and Medicine
Astronomy, mathematics, and geography Aristarchus of Samos (310–230 B.C.E.) Heliocentric worldview Euclid (fl. fourth century B.C.E.) Wrote first geometry text Eratosthenes (c. 276–194 B.C.E.) Calculated circumference of the earth
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The Citadel of Pergamon
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Scientific Revolution of Antiquity: Science and Medicine
Physics Archimedes of Syracuse (c. 287–212 B.C.E.) Discovered law of floating bodies Medicine Herophilus of Chalcedon (c. 335–c. 280 B.C.E.) Anatomist—practiced human dissection Detailed description of the brain Rejected notion of four humors
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Dying Gaul
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Scientific Revolution of Antiquity: Science and Medicine
Architecture and Sculpture Architecture drew on Greek models influenced by Egypt and Persia Sculpture—most influential of the arts Focus on extreme naturalism Extravagance Hellenistic Culture: Literature and Art Pastoral literature Prose
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The Winged Victory of Samothrace (left)
Laocoön and his Sons (right)
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Conclusion The Transformation of the Polis From polis to cosmopolis
From Hellene to Hellenistic The breakdown of traditional values The Hellenistic Age as an age of transition between Greece and Rome
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This concludes the Norton Lecture Slide Set for Chapter 4 WESTERN CIVILIZATIONS BRIEF THIRD EDITION by Judith Coffin Robert Stacey Joshua Cole Carol Symes
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