Politics, Philosophy, and Science in the Hellenistic World.
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Transcript Politics, Philosophy, and Science in the Hellenistic World.
Politics, Philosophy, and
Science in the Hellenistic
World.
The Hellenistic World
United Empire in Pieces
Macedonian generals in conflict over control
of the empire.
See map:
Four primary kingdoms
Stability for several centuries
Strain between Greco-Macedonian rulers and
native populations.
Greeks and Macedonians the ruling
class…some were as small as 2.0% of the
population
Urban revolution
This was an urban revolution
Alexander focused on the foundation of cities.
Military settlements were founded.
Greeks relocated to fill voids as
administrators, architects, engineers, etc…
Economic trends
Largely agrarian
Aristocrats owned land worked it via rent or
slaves.
Commerce expanded
Trading expanded (Silk Road)
Alexander made East-West trade more
possible.
Culture in the Hellenistic World
Importance of Cultural
Diffusion
Importance of
Literature—Egypt
(Library of Alexandria)
Importance of theatre/drama
Centered in Athens
Playwrights focused on
Comedies
Menander
Lost to history—”Ladies
at Lunch”
History
Polybius a famed Greek
wrote “Inhabited
Mediterranean World”
Most has been lost to
history
Focused on the growth
of Rome
Sought rational motives
for events
Sculpture
Unlike classical age
artists the Hellenistic
works focused on the
“actual” not the ideal
form. Best preserved
example is the “Old
Market Woman”.
Meets no qualities of
classical sculpture
A New Age in Science
In Greece science had
been an extension of
philosophy.
Now it was a subject of
scientific
experimentation.
Archimedes
Noted for:
Geometry
Hydrostatics
Numerical value of Pi
Archimedan water
screw
Pulley
Lever
Achievements cont…
From Plutarch: “that if
they did see but a little
rope or a piece of wood
from the wall, instantly
crying out, that there it
was again, Archimedes
was about to let fly
some engine at them,
they turned their backs
and fled!”
“Give me a place to
stand I will move the
earth”
Philosophy
Athens the center of philosophy
“The Academy”
New schools of philosophy
Epicureanism
Stoicism
Epicureanism
Goal of life the pursuit
of pleasure—pleasure
in the sense of
liberation of mental
turmoil and worry. The
freedom of a mind at
rest.
How? Free yourself
from public activity
“We must release
ourselve from the prison
of affairs and politics”
Epicurus
Stoicism
Founded by Zeno
Flourished in Rome
Happiness could only
be found living in the
will of God and that
life's problems should
be attacked through
political virtue.
Religion in the Hellenistic World
Greek gods were
spread with the
conquest of Alexander.
Primarily localized cults
such as those of Isis,
Tyche, Zeus, Asarte,
Horus, and Atargis.
Mystery Religions
Often expanded from cults, they promised
salvation and eternal life.
These faiths which attempted to tackle key
questions paved the way for later Christianity.