Hellenistic Culture

1
Hellenistic Culture

• Greek cultured blended with Egyptian, Persian and
  Indian influence
• Koine was spoken language
• Trade and Cultural Diversity
• A. Alexandria
• 1. center of commerce and trade
• 2. western edge of the Nile delta
• 3. harbor
• 4. international community
• 5. pop. exceeded half a million

2

• B. Alexandria Attractions
• 1. great beauty
• 2. broad avenues, city blocks
• 3. royal palaces, Alexanders tomb
• 4. Pharos lighthouse
• 5. museum and library

3

• Science and Technology
• A. Astronomy
• 1. Aristarchas size of the sun and planets
  revolve around the sun
• 2. Ptolemy earth was the center
• 3. Eratosthenes size of the earth
• B. Math and Physics
• 1. Euclid geometric proofs
• 2. Archimedes value of pi (p)

4

• Philosophy and Art
• A. Stoicism and Epicureanism
• 1. Zeno founded Stoicism will of God or
  natural laws of God
• 2. Epicurus founded Epicureanism believe
  your five senses
• B. Realism in Sculpture
• 1. statues honoring gods
• 2. Colossus of Rhodes