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

• 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

• 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

• 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?– 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?