hieu 2031 ancient greece unit 20 study guides

Who Was Alexander the Great?

• Son of King Philip II of Macedon and Queen Olympias, born in 356 BCE in Pella, Macedon
• Tutored by the renowned philosopher Aristotle in his youth, which greatly influenced his intellectual development and curiosity
• Demonstrated exceptional military prowess and leadership skills from a young age
  • Tamed the wild horse Bucephalus at age 12, which became his loyal steed throughout his military campaigns
• Succeeded his father as king of Macedon in 336 BCE at the age of 20 after Philip II's assassination
• Known for his strategic brilliance, charismatic leadership, and relentless pursuit of power and glory
• Aspired to surpass the achievements of mythical heroes like Achilles and Heracles, driven by a desire for immortal fame
• Embraced and promoted the concept of Hellenism, spreading Greek culture and language throughout his empire

Alexander's Conquests and Empire

• Embarked on a series of military campaigns that greatly expanded the Macedonian Empire
• Defeated the Achaemenid Persian Empire under Darius III in decisive battles at Issus (333 BCE) and Gaugamela (331 BCE)
• Conquered Egypt in 332 BCE and founded the city of Alexandria, which became a major center of learning and trade
• Pushed further east, reaching the Indian subcontinent and engaging in battles with local rulers like Porus
• His empire stretched from Greece to India, encompassing diverse cultures and peoples
• Adopted elements of Persian culture and administration, promoting a fusion of Greek and Eastern customs
• Encouraged intermarriage between Macedonian soldiers and Persian women to create a new ruling class loyal to him
• His untimely death in 323 BCE at the age of 32 in Babylon led to the division of his empire among his generals (the Diadochi)

Hellenistic Culture and Society

• The Hellenistic period, lasting from Alexander's death to the Roman conquest of Egypt (323 BCE - 30 BCE), saw the spread and influence of Greek culture
• Greek became the lingua franca of the Hellenistic world, facilitating communication and cultural exchange
• The Hellenistic period witnessed a flourishing of art, literature, philosophy, and science
  • Notable figures include the mathematician Euclid, the inventor Archimedes, and the philosopher Epicurus
• Syncretism, the blending of Greek and local religious beliefs, became common (e.g., the Egyptian god Serapis)
• The rise of cosmopolitanism and individualism challenged traditional Greek city-state (polis) values
• Social hierarchies became more fluid, with increased social mobility and the emergence of a new middle class
• Women experienced greater freedom and participation in public life compared to Classical Greece
• The Hellenistic period saw the rise of new philosophical schools, such as Stoicism and Skepticism

Political Landscape After Alexander

• Alexander's empire was divided among his generals, known as the Diadochi, after his death in 323 BCE
• The major Hellenistic kingdoms that emerged were:
  • The Ptolemaic Kingdom in Egypt, ruled by Ptolemy I and his descendants
  • The Seleucid Empire in Mesopotamia and Persia, founded by Seleucus I
  • The Antigonid Kingdom in Macedon, established by Antigonus I and his descendants
• These kingdoms engaged in ongoing power struggles and territorial disputes, known as the Wars of the Diadochi
• The Hellenistic period saw the decline of the traditional Greek city-states and the rise of monarchies
• Greek political institutions and practices, such as the gymnasium and the theater, were adopted in Hellenistic cities
• The Hellenistic kings often portrayed themselves as divine rulers, blending Greek and local religious traditions to legitimize their rule

Economic Changes in the Hellenistic World

• The conquests of Alexander and the establishment of Hellenistic kingdoms led to significant economic changes
• The expansion of trade networks, both overland (Silk Roads) and maritime, facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures
• The foundation of new cities (e.g., Alexandria, Antioch) and the growth of existing ones stimulated economic activity
• The introduction of coinage based on the Attic standard promoted trade and financial transactions across the Hellenistic world
• Agricultural production increased with the introduction of new crops (e.g., cotton, rice) and improved irrigation techniques
• The development of large-scale manufacturing, particularly in textiles and metalworking, contributed to economic growth
• The Ptolemaic Kingdom's control of the Nile Valley and the Red Sea trade routes brought immense wealth to Egypt
• The Hellenistic period saw the emergence of a more complex and interconnected economy, with increased specialization and division of labor

Scientific and Technological Advancements

• The Hellenistic period witnessed significant advancements in various fields of science and technology
• Mathematics:
  • Euclid's Elements laid the foundations of geometry and influenced mathematical thought for centuries
  • Archimedes made groundbreaking contributions to hydrostatics, mechanics, and the calculation of areas and volumes
• Astronomy:
  • Aristarchus of Samos proposed a heliocentric model of the solar system
  • Eratosthenes calculated the circumference of the Earth with remarkable accuracy
• Geography and cartography:
  • Ptolemy's Geographia provided a systematic framework for mapping the known world
  • The creation of more accurate maps and the use of astronomical observations for navigation
• Medicine:
  • Herophilus and Erasistratus made significant advances in anatomy and physiology
  • The establishment of the great medical school at Alexandria, which attracted scholars from across the Hellenistic world
• Engineering and technology:
  • The development of more advanced siege engines and military technology
  • Improvements in water management, including the construction of aqueducts and the Archimedes' screw for irrigation
  • The invention of the astrolabe, a device used for astronomical measurements and navigation

Artistic and Architectural Developments

• The Hellenistic period saw a shift in artistic styles and themes, reflecting the cultural changes of the time
• Sculpture:
  • Increased realism and emotional expression in sculptures, as seen in the works of Lysippos and the Winged Victory of Samothrace
  • The emergence of the Baroque style, characterized by dramatic poses, flowing drapery, and intense emotions
• Painting:
  • The development of trompe l'oeil (illusionistic) painting techniques, as seen in the works of Zeuxis and Apelles
  • Increased use of shading and perspective to create depth and realism
• Mosaics:
  • The widespread use of mosaics for decorative purposes in public buildings and private homes
  • The creation of intricate and detailed mosaic floors depicting mythological scenes and daily life
• Architecture:
  • The construction of monumental buildings, such as the Pharos (lighthouse) of Alexandria and the Colossus of Rhodes
  • The development of the Corinthian order, characterized by ornate capitals with acanthus leaves
  • The use of more elaborate decorative elements, such as the broken pediment and the arch
• The fusion of Greek and local artistic traditions in the Hellenistic kingdoms, resulting in unique regional styles (e.g., Greco-Buddhist art)

Long-Term Impact on East-West Relations

• Alexander's conquests and the subsequent Hellenistic period had far-reaching consequences for East-West relations
• The spread of Greek culture and language throughout the Near East and Central Asia facilitated cultural exchange and understanding
• The establishment of trade routes (e.g., the Silk Roads) fostered economic and cultural connections between the Mediterranean world and the Far East
• The encounter between Greek and Indian cultures led to the development of Greco-Buddhist art and the transmission of Buddhist ideas to the West
• The Hellenistic period saw increased contact and exchange between the Greek world and the Jewish diaspora, leading to the translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek (the Septuagint)
• The Hellenistic kingdoms, particularly the Seleucid Empire, served as a bridge between the Greek and Persian cultural spheres
• The legacy of Alexander and the Hellenistic period influenced the later Roman Empire, which absorbed and adapted many aspects of Hellenistic culture
• The cultural and intellectual achievements of the Hellenistic period had a lasting impact on the development of Western civilization, shaping art, literature, science, and philosophy for centuries to come