Alexander the Great Hellenistic Culture WHAT WOULD A

Alexander the Great & Hellenistic Culture

WHAT WOULD A PERSON HAVE TO DO TO BE CALLED A “GREAT” FIGURE IN HISTORY?

WHAT WOULD A PERSON HAVE TO DO TO BE CALLED A “GREAT” FIGURE IN HISTORY? • The amount of influence that they have had on human history and on the everyday lives of other human beings • Have had a major impact beyond one country or region • Have influenced many different areas of human civilization: religion, politics, economics, culture, technology, warfare …… • Have overcome great obstacles to achieve their goals

WHAT WOULD A PERSON HAVE TO DO TO BE CALLED A “GREAT” FIGURE IN HISTORY? Name one person from U. S. History (dead or alive) that would be considered GREAT, based on the characteristics from the previous slide

Setting the Scene… • After the Peloponnesian War, many Greek city-states were severely WEAKENED • Rapid decline in military & economic power • What are your predictions for ancient Greece? ? ?

Macedonia

Macedonia • Large kingdom of mountain villages north of Greece • Ruled by King Philip II • Wanted to take control of Greece, as well as Persia

Macedonia • Philip creates a well-trained army; invades Greece • In 338 BC Philip is victorious • Greece is under Macedonian control • But in 336 Philip is killed & his son Alexander becomes King of Macedonia

Alexander’s Early Life • He is tutored by Aristotle & received extensive military training • At 20, he becomes king You will now memorize The Iliad It’s my favorite book!

Persian Invasion • Alexander was determined to carry out the second part of his father’s plan • INVADE PERSIA…

Persian Invasion • Alexander & his army march into Egypt • Successfully conquer & liberate Egypt from Persian control • Is crowned Pharaoh • Founds the city of Alexandria

Persian Invasion • They capture Babylon & burn the Persian capital city of Persepolis • Eventually, they achieve the total destruction of the Persian Empire

Other Conquests • Fights across deserts of central Asia to India • Conquers the Indus Valley around 326 BC • But…

Other Conquests • After 11 years of fighting & marching more than 11, 000 miles, the troops refuse to go any further – Fail to conquer India • They return to Babylon & Alexander dies in 323 BC; he was just 32 years old ?

Alexander’s Legacy

Alexander’s Legacy: Hellenistic Culture

Alexander’s Legacy • HUGE CULTURAL IMPACT • Blended many different cultures • Resulted in a NEW culture: • Hellenistic Culture

Alexander’s Legacy • Hellenistic Culture: • Greek + Persian + Egyptian + Indian influences

A New Language? • New Language: • Koine (comes from the Greek word for ‘common’) • Allowed for a common means of communication throughout the Hellenistic world

Trade & Diversity • Alexandria, Egypt: • Located on the Nile River • The cultural & trading center of Hellenistic civilization

Science & Technology • Scholars in Alexandria preserved Greek & Egyptian learning in the sciences

Science & Technology • Scientific Achievements: • Sun BIGGER than the earth • Earth & other planets REVOLVE around sun • The circumference of earth

Mathematics • • Euclid: Geometry Archimedes: Value of Pi, law of the lever • Pythagoras: • Pythagorean Theorem

Decline of Hellenistic Culture

The Decline • By 150 BC Hellenistic civilization was in decline… • A new city called growing & gaining during this time ROME was strength

The Decline • Through the city of Rome, Greek drama, architecture, sculpture & philosophy were preserved • The CORE of western civilization…

Review • Watch the Crash Course on Alexander the Great. . . • Think back to the reasons someone is considered “great” in history • Identify 3 reasons why Alexander the Great is considered “great”