Transcript The Greek Empire

The Greek Empire
From Macedonians to the
Hellenistic Era.
The Macedonians
• Frontier state north of the Greek
penninsula.
• 359-336 BCE King Philip II:
– Strong military, big sights.
– 338 BCE: Conquers all of Greece.
– 336 BCE: Assassinated.
Alexander
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336 BCE: Inherits the throne.
333 BCE: Conquers Ionia and Anatolia.
330 BCE: Conquers Persia.
327 BCE: Conquers Indus?
Hellenistic Culture
• An era when Greek cultural traditions
expand their influence beyond Greece
(Hellas) itself.
• Greek, Egyptian, Persian, and Indian.
• Integrate societies and economies.
• Cultural blending and diffusion.
• What are the benefits of empire?
• What are the detractions of empire?
Politically
• 275 BCE: After the death of Alexander,
empire divided into three:
– Antigonus: Greece and Macedonia.
– Ptolemy: Egypt
– Seleucus: Anatolia to Indus.
Antigonid Empire
• Clashes.
• Wealthy.
• Migration.
Ptolemaic Egypt
• Wealthiest: Agriculture, industry, and taxes.
• Alexandria and megalopolis.
Seleucid Empire
• Former Persian Empire.
• The “suburbs” of the Greek empire.
Economically
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Large empire allows for trade to expand.
Caravans and Persia and Bactria (India).
Seas and Mediterranean Empire.
Rise of luxury products.
Hellenistic Culture
• In Hellenistic cities, individuals:
– Spoke Greek.
– Dressed according to Greek fashion.
– Greek art and sculpture.
• AND:
– Observe their own customs and traditions.
• No more loyalty to the polis!!!!
• Cultural and religious loyalty!
Alexandria: The NYC of the Ancient
World
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Egyptian city.
Center of Hellenistic culture.
Center of commerce.
500,000 international occupants.
Breathtaking.
Avenues, statues, library, lighthouse,
museum.
• Alexander and the glass coffin.
Culture
• Philosophy: Zeno and Stoicism vs. Epicurus
and Epicureanism. Skeptics?????
• History: Seven Wonders of the World,
Herodotus.
– What does it mean when a culture begins to look
back?
• Art: Realism.
• Religion: Mysticism, Cult of Osiris.
The Seven Wonders of the World
• How do the Seven Wonders of the World
represent Hellenistic values?
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Multi-cultural.
Wealth.
Empire.
Legacy.
Larger than life.
So, if Alexander was so great why did
Greece collapse?
• Collapse vs. decline
• 150 BCE: Hellenistic culture begins to
decline.
• Greek civilization lasts from 2000 BCE to
150 BCE.
• Why is it hard to maintain an empire?