The Hellenistic World

1
The Hellenistic World

• September 16, 2007

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Alexander the Great

• Son of Philip of Macedon
• Tutored by Aristotle
• 334 Invasion of Asia Minor
• Several major battles vs. Darius III
• Gaugamela (331) the decisive battle

3
Alexander the Great (2)

• Had entire Persian Empire by 330
• Continued into India
• Soldiers revolt, Alexander returns
• Died in Susa at 32 (323)
• His generals divided his empire.

4
Alexanders Legacy

• Ushered in the Hellenistic period.
• Spread Greek culture throughout the known world.
• Greek language became the common tongue.
• Greek art, architecture, drama, ideas all spread.

5
The Hellenistic Monarchies

• Macedonia (Antigonid)
• Syria/Persia (Seleucids)
• Pergamum (Attalid)
• Egypt (Ptolemies)

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Hellenistic Cities

• Greco-Macedonian ruling class
• Greek colonists
• Koine
• Attempted re-creation of the polis

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Hellenistic Culture

• Artistic realism
• Literature New Comedy
• Science Euclid, Archimedes
• The gymnasium and competition

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Epicureanism

• Epicurus (341-270)
• No active role for gods
• Pursuit of pleasure
• Not hedonism
• Freedom from worry and emotional turmoil

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Stoicism

• Zeno (335-263) and the Stoa Poikile
• Happiness found in virtue
• Virtue following Gods will through your own
  free will
• Acceptance of whatever comes in life

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Culture Religion

• Civic religion weakens with polis
• Search for personal meaning attracted many to
  cults
• Process of syncretism
• Cult of Isis promised eternal life, became
  universal
• Astrology became an organized system

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Hellenistic Jews

• Rejected syncretism and cults
• Maccabean Revolt (164)
• Antiochus IV (175-163)
• Judas Maccabeus captured the Temple
• Origin of Hannukah
• Jews of the diaspora
• Independent corporations within cities
• Cultural assimilation