Transcript Chapter 5, Section 4 The Spread of Greek Culture

Chapter 5, Section 4
The Spread of Greek Culture
Section Introduction
This section describes the spread of
Hellenistic culture in the wake of
Alexander’s empire and the achievements
of many great philosophers, writers, and
scientists.
Terms To Know
Epicureanism: belief that people should
seek out pleasure to be happy
Stoicism: belief that people should follow
reason and do their duty to find happiness
Terms To Know
astronomer: person who studies the stars,
planets, and other heavenly bodies
Plane geometry: branch of math that shows
how points, lines, angles, and surfaces
relate to one another
solid geometry: branch of math that studies
spheres and cylinders
People to Meet
The Spread of Greek Culture
Greek Culture Spreads
• Philosophers, poets, scientists, and
writers moved to the new Greek cities in
southwest Asia, particularly Alexandria,
during the Hellenistic Era.
• Hellenistic kings wanted to make their
cities like those in Greece, so they hired
Greek architects and sculptors.
• The writers of the Hellenistic Era
produced a large body of literature.
(page 183)
The Spread of Greek Culture
Greek Culture Spreads (cont.)
• Appolonius wrote the epic poem
Argonautica, recounting the legend of
Jason and his band of heroes.
• Theocritus wrote short poems about
beauty and nature.
• Athenians still created plays, but the
plays of the Hellenistic Era were about
love and relationships.
(page 183)
The Spread of Greek Culture
Why were the cities of southwest
Asia lands of opportunity for
artisans, scientists, philosophers,
and writers?
The rulers of these cities wanted
them to be like the cultural centers
of Greece. To achieve that goal, the
rulers needed the services of
artisans, scientists, philosophers,
and writers.
The Spread of Greek Culture
Philosophy
• Epicurus, the founder of Epicureanism,
taught that happiness was the goal of
life.
• Stoicism was developed by a
Phoenician named Zeno.
• This philosophy believes that happiness
comes from reason, not emotions.
(page 184)
The Spread of Greek Culture
How does our definition of
epicurean today differ from the
Hellenistic Era definition?
Today the word means love of
physical pleasure. In the Hellenistic
Era, the word meant pleasure from
spending time with friends and not
worrying.
The Spread of Greek Culture
Greek Science and Math
• Astronomers study the stars, planets,
and other heavenly bodies.
• Aristarchus was an astronomer who
claimed that the sun was at the center of
the universe and that Earth revolved
around the sun.
• Eratosthenes was an astronomer who
believed that the earth was round and
measured Earth’s circumference.
(pages 185–186)
The Spread of Greek Culture
Greek Science and Math (cont.)
• Euclid, one of the most famous Greek
mathematicians, described plane
geometry.
• Plane geometry is the
study of points, lines,
angles, and surfaces.
• Archimedes was the
most famous scientist of
the Hellenistic Era.
(pages 185–186)
The Spread of Greek Culture
Greek Science and Math (cont.)
• He worked on solid geometry—the study
of spheres and cylinders.
• He also determined the value of pi, a
number used to measure the area of
circles.
• Archimedes invented the catapult,
among other weapons.
(pages 185–186)
Chapter 5, Section 4
Greek Science and Math
(pages 185–186)
Earth circles
the sun
Earth is
round
Major
Contributions
of Hellenistic
Scientists
Plane
geometry
Solid
geometry
pi
lever
catapult
The Spread of Greek Culture
What did other astronomers believe
about Aristarchus’ idea that the sun
was at the center of the universe?
Other scientists thought Aristarchus
was wrong. They believed Earth
was the center of the universe.
They thought the sun revolved
around Earth.
The Spread of Greek Culture
Why did the city of Alexandria attract
scholars?
Alexandria had a large library and
museum.
The Spread of Greek Culture
Describe the form of philosophy
developed by Zeno.
He developed Stoicism, which states
happiness comes from following
reason and duty is important.
The Spread of Greek Culture
Compare and Contrast How were
the comedies of the Hellenistic Era
and those of Greece’s Golden Age
similar and different?
Similar: made people laugh;
Different: focused on love and
relationships, not criticizing people in
power
What were the differences between
Epicureanism and Stoicism?
Epicureans believed that happiness came
from seeking out pleasure. Stoics
believed that happiness came from
following reason and doing your duty.
Review
Who was the most famous
scientist of the Hellenistic Era?
What did he contribute?
Archimedes; he worked on solid
geometry and figured out the
value of pi.
The Spread of Greek Culture
Analyze How would knowledge of
geometry be helpful to the Greeks?
It helped them to construct buildings
and bridges, determine distances,
and design machines.
The Spread of Greek Culture
Identify What did the Epicureans
believe about happiness?
They believed that happiness is the
goal of life.