Download Alexander*s Empire and Hellenistic Culture

Alexander’s Empire and
Hellenistic Culture
CHW3MI – Mrs. Helmer
About Alexander…
– 20 years old
– Studied in Athens, Greece under the great
philosopher, Aristotle
– Great warrior
– His father was Philip II of Macedonia, who
was a great leader, but made many
enemies.
• He was murdered by a young noble.
BUT WHERE?
• Alexander the Great’s conquests took
place in the Macedonian Empire in 334 –
323 BC
• The areas of Mesopotamia and Persia
were invaded and conquered by
Alexander
• The city of Gaugamela where the epic
Battle took place!
• LINK
Aim: What is the legacy of
Alexander the Great?
• Do Now:
Terms!!!
• Hellenistic Civilization: The combination
of Greek, Egyptian, Indian and Persian
cultures through the conquests of
Alexander the Great.
The Hellenistic Age
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During this time, new Greek cities were founded in
all parts of the empire. These cities became centers
of Greek culture.
Trade grew between the Hellenistic cities and faroff parts of the world.
One of the cities Alexander founded, Alexandria in
Egypt, became the greatest center of trade and
learning.
Discovery and Invention

Greek science and math

Doctors made many discoveries about how the human
body works.

Hippocrates is the father of medicine.
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Archimedes = famous inventor of his time.
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Pythagoras and Euclid = mathematicians.
The Peloponnesian War
• Sparta and Athens declared outright war
on each other for domination of Greece and
national pride called the Peloponnesian War.
• Athens would be defeated in the end, but it
weakened all the Greek city-states allowing
for invasion by Philip the II of Macedonia.
Philip Builds Macedonian Power
• Phillip’s Army – Used the phalanx and a
fast moving cavalry defeat Greek City
States.
• Assassination – Philip was assassinated
and Alexander becomes king of
Macedonia and Greece. He decides to
expand his empire.
Alexander Conquers
• Alexander’s outnumbered army defeats
Darius and his grand army at the Battle of
Gaugamela.
• Alexander conquers Persian controlled
Egypt and is crowned King. After that he
turns to conquer India.
• Before his death Alexander the Great’s
Empire controls most of the known world
in 326 BCE
Alexander’s Legacy
• Even though Alexander died and his empire he left a
lasting legacy by spreading western civilization.
• Alexander united most of the known world and
started cultural diffusion and trade between
Greece, Egypt, India and Persia. This became
known as Hellenistic Civilization (Asian/Greek
Influence)
• Alexander founded many cities in the Greek Style
• Alexander assimilated or adapted the cultures of the
areas he conquered, worshipped at their temples and
allowed them some self rule.
The Phalanx
back
Greek Calvary
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Battle of
Gaugamela.
THE BATTLE OF GAUGAMELA – 331 BC
•VIDEO
•Back
- The Persian Army fell to Alexander… The war might have
been different if the High King Darius was a bit more
determined… He simply “gave up”.
- Alexander pushed onward to conquer Egypt.. He became
the High King of Persia
- He planned to move onto Rome and stop the ever
powerful and growing society, but he died of a fever in 323
BC
Alexander the Great’s
Empire
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The “Known” World – 326 B.C.E.
BACK
Pergamum:
A New
“Hellenistic”
City
Cosmopolitan
Culture
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Trade in the Hellenistic World
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Cultural Diffusion
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What concept is being shown
here?
Journal Writing Assignment
• Forming and supporting opinions: Read
“Alexander the Great” Handout.
• Do you think that Alexander was worthy
of the title “Great”? Explain using
information from class.