The Hellenistic Era of Greece The Rise of Macedonia and Alexander the Great

Geography The Hellenistic Era is classified by the rise and reign of Alexander the Great.The Hellenistic Era is classified by the rise and reign of Alexander the Great. Alexander hailed from the area of northern Greece known as Macedonia.Alexander hailed from the area of northern Greece known as Macedonia. The mainland Greeks treated the Macedonians as the rejects or hillbilly cousin’s of the Greeks.The mainland Greeks treated the Macedonians as the rejects or hillbilly cousin’s of the Greeks.

Macedonia Macedonian cities had not developed into independent city-states like mainland Greece.Macedonian cities had not developed into independent city-states like mainland Greece. Rather, they stayed small farming communities.Rather, they stayed small farming communities. Despite the insults of the “civilized” Greeks, the Macedonians were still related.Despite the insults of the “civilized” Greeks, the Macedonians were still related.

Macedonia The Macedonians were closely related to the Spartans. Both had descended from the Doric clans of the early Greeks.The Macedonians were closely related to the Spartans. Both had descended from the Doric clans of the early Greeks. Therefore, Macedonian practices, both culturally and militarily were closest to the Spartans.Therefore, Macedonian practices, both culturally and militarily were closest to the Spartans.

Macedonia In 359 B.C. a man by the name of Philip II came to power.In 359 B.C. a man by the name of Philip II came to power. He admired the overall Greek culture, and wanted to unite Greece under the Macedonian flag.He admired the overall Greek culture, and wanted to unite Greece under the Macedonian flag. –The big picture, was to eventually conquer Persia. He built a strong military and readied himself for such conquests.He built a strong military and readied himself for such conquests.

Macedonia In 356, Philip’s wife, Olympias gave birth to Philip’s first son, Alexander III of Macedon.In 356, Philip’s wife, Olympias gave birth to Philip’s first son, Alexander III of Macedon. –Due to Olympias’ lineage, Alexander was not viewed as a full legitimate heir to Philip’s throne. –Also, a myth surrounds the conception and birth of Alexander

Macedonia Athens feared Philip’s growing power and decided to take the fight to him.Athens feared Philip’s growing power and decided to take the fight to him. Philip crushed the Athenian army and it’s allies at the battle of Chaeronea.Philip crushed the Athenian army and it’s allies at the battle of Chaeronea. Following this victory, Philip quickly took control of all Greek city-states, and disbanded the various leagues of Greece.Following this victory, Philip quickly took control of all Greek city-states, and disbanded the various leagues of Greece.

Macedonia Two years following his conquests of Greece, Philip was assassinated.Two years following his conquests of Greece, Philip was assassinated. Two different theories prevail:Two different theories prevail: –1) Philip’s wife and Alexander’s mother Olympias had him murdered so Alexander would be the only legitimate heir –2) The Athenians (rather all Greeks) did not want to be subjected to the rule of one man, and had him assassinated so that Philip’s empire would fall.

Macedonia Following Philip’s death, Alexander rose to power.Following Philip’s death, Alexander rose to power. –He was only 20 years old. Alexander was already well prepared for such a task.Alexander was already well prepared for such a task. –He had been groomed from a young age to be a perfect king, and brilliant military tactician.

Macedonia Philip’s empire at the time of his death

Alexander Alexander was born in July of 356 BCAlexander was born in July of 356 BC –He was not a legitimate heir, his mother was not Macedonian Philip constantly took Alexander with him on conquestsPhilip constantly took Alexander with him on conquests –Alexander learned battle tactics and military strategies while doing this

Alexander As a boy, Alexander was tutored by AristotleAs a boy, Alexander was tutored by Aristotle –Philip wanted Alexander to have the best education possible Olympias always feared that Philip would find a new wife, a full blooded Macedonian women and produce a “legitimate” heir.Olympias always feared that Philip would find a new wife, a full blooded Macedonian women and produce a “legitimate” heir.

Alexander Alexander studied at the Mieza, (think of it as a boarding school)Alexander studied at the Mieza, (think of it as a boarding school) –He studied with men who would later become his friends and future generals –He also fell in love with the epics of Homer He was given an annotated copy of the Iliad and the Odyssey which he kept with him at all times.He was given an annotated copy of the Iliad and the Odyssey which he kept with him at all times.

Alexander Ascension to Glory At age 16, his father Philip left to wage war with Byzantium, and left Alexander as the stand in kingAt age 16, his father Philip left to wage war with Byzantium, and left Alexander as the stand in king The citizens of Thrace revolted while Philip was away, and Alexander quickly responded and put down the revoltThe citizens of Thrace revolted while Philip was away, and Alexander quickly responded and put down the revolt

Alexander Ascension to Glory Following Philip’s death, Alexander had to fight for the right to be King of Macedonia.Following Philip’s death, Alexander had to fight for the right to be King of Macedonia. Eventually he became king, and set out to fulfill his father’s dream.Eventually he became king, and set out to fulfill his father’s dream.

Alexander Ascension to Glory Following Alexander’s rise to power, many Greek city-states rebelledFollowing Alexander’s rise to power, many Greek city-states rebelled –Thebes, Athens, Thessaly, and Thrace Alexander quickly responded and squashed the rebellionsAlexander quickly responded and squashed the rebellions –Following the rebellions, Alexander consolidated the troops he conquered, and rode for the Peloponnesus

Alexander Ascension to Glory Alexander then sets his eyes on securing his bordersAlexander then sets his eyes on securing his borders –He starts at the northern borders of Thrace, and slowly works his way down through the entirety of the Balkans. –Thebes once again rebelled and Alexander squashed the revolt and razed the city following immense bloodshed

Alexander Ascension to Glory Following the destruction of Thebes, Alexander cements his grip as ruler and unifier of GreeceFollowing the destruction of Thebes, Alexander cements his grip as ruler and unifier of Greece –Other city-states were too scared to revolt following the burning of Thebes –Various other city-states gave their loyalties, their armies, and their money to support Alexander

Alexander Alexander was now supreme ruler of GreeceAlexander was now supreme ruler of Greece –Also known as the Basileus of Macedon, and all of Greece

Alexander Becoming the Great Once all of Greece was conquered, Alexander set out to fulfill his father’s wish to see the Persian empire fallOnce all of Greece was conquered, Alexander set out to fulfill his father’s wish to see the Persian empire fall –Ever since the Greco-Persian war, Greece had wanted to take out Persia –Alexander would see this dream a reality –He dreamed to be like Achilles, the famous warrior from the Iliad

Alexander Becoming the Great To conquer Persia, Alexander would need to rethink his military strategyTo conquer Persia, Alexander would need to rethink his military strategy –Macedonian military tactics mirrored the Spartans, so he adapted his phalanx –The soldiers began wielding longer spears, and their shields shrank in size.

Alexander Becoming the Great The Phalanx becomes a pure offensive formation under Alexander

Alexander Becoming the Great Alexander also relies less on his phalanx formation, and utilizes the swiftness of his cavalryAlexander also relies less on his phalanx formation, and utilizes the swiftness of his cavalry

Alexander Becoming the Great

With his new tactics and skills set for his military campaign, he sets out for Persia, to conquer DariusWith his new tactics and skills set for his military campaign, he sets out for Persia, to conquer Darius But, first things firstBut, first things first –Alexander marches through Asia Minor, conquering city of city –He conquered Ionia, then Israel, then finally Egypt

Alexander Becoming the Great In Egypt, Alexander seeks out an oracle of the godsIn Egypt, Alexander seeks out an oracle of the gods –The oracle tells Alexander that he is a descendant of Zeus himself –This lie spurs Alexander on, and is his continuing motivation throughout his campaigns

Alexander Becoming the Great Following the conquest of Egypt, Alexander and his troops march toward Babylon.Following the conquest of Egypt, Alexander and his troops march toward Babylon. He meets Darius and his forces in Syria, defeats them and chases them through MesopotamiaHe meets Darius and his forces in Syria, defeats them and chases them through Mesopotamia –Darius retreats to Gaugamela, where he makes a valiant stand against Alexander

Alexander Becoming the Great Alexander defeats Darius at Gaugamela, and cements his place as ruler of Babylon and the Persian EmpireAlexander defeats Darius at Gaugamela, and cements his place as ruler of Babylon and the Persian Empire

Alexander Becoming the Great Following the conquest of Babylon, Alexander marches east towards IndiaFollowing the conquest of Babylon, Alexander marches east towards India –His troops are weary of battle and homesick He meets with success less and lessHe meets with success less and less –The morale of his soldiers decline and become near mutinous

Alexander Becoming the Great Alexander’s men refuse to march past the Hyphasis river, fearing the strength of the Nanda Empire and the Gangaridai EmpireAlexander’s men refuse to march past the Hyphasis river, fearing the strength of the Nanda Empire and the Gangaridai Empire –This river marks the easternmost point of Alexander’s conquests He then returns to BabylonHe then returns to Babylon

Alexander The Decline Once back in Babylon, Alexander disciplines his provincial governorsOnce back in Babylon, Alexander disciplines his provincial governors Then it becomes time to celebrateThen it becomes time to celebrate –He parties to hard and becomes deathly sick –Whatever ailed him at that time, ended up killing him

Alexander The Decline Following his death, Alexander’s Empire is split into four sections, due to Alexander not having an heir.Following his death, Alexander’s Empire is split into four sections, due to Alexander not having an heir. The four kingdoms were: Macedonia, Syria, Pergamum, EgyptThe four kingdoms were: Macedonia, Syria, Pergamum, Egypt –The most prosperous one of the four was Egypt, as it became governed by Ptolemy and his family.

Accomplishments of the Hellenistic Age Alexander unites the known worldAlexander unites the known world He spread Greek culture as far as IndiaHe spread Greek culture as far as India He found common ground with the people he conquered and their culture became an amalgam with the Greek way of lifeHe found common ground with the people he conquered and their culture became an amalgam with the Greek way of life Alexandria, became the most famous place in the world for scholars to live and workAlexandria, became the most famous place in the world for scholars to live and work

Accomplishments of the Hellenistic Age Alexandria had the largest collection of books in the world. It numbered six millionAlexandria had the largest collection of books in the world. It numbered six million –When Alexandria burned in the middle ages, those books and their knowledge was lost forever New philosophies sprang up under the reign of Alexander: Epicureanism and StoicismNew philosophies sprang up under the reign of Alexander: Epicureanism and Stoicism

Conclusion Alexander was the first man to unite the known worldAlexander was the first man to unite the known world He believed in a unification of all peoples, living together in happinessHe believed in a unification of all peoples, living together in happiness Also, Alexander became the role model for almost every great leader to emerge since his deathAlso, Alexander became the role model for almost every great leader to emerge since his death