AP World History POD #4 Mediterranean Democracy Alexander the Great

4. In Plato’s view, what were the principle arguments against democracy? What is your assessment of his critique? The principle upon which democracy is founded is liberty and the expression of free will. As each individual begins to express their own free will Plato fears that society will begin to fragment into varying sects each with its own and competing norms and standards. Plato argues that a society in which this prospers eventually degenerates into anarchy as the people are unable to deal effectively with matters of state. Thus, in order to establish stability out of this anarchy tyranny emerges. I find fault with this analysis for it is my belief that the expression of free will and liberty leads not to anarchy and chaos but rather to greater freedom. Each individual acts in a manner which allows himself to be free, and opposes any restriction to his desired set of freedoms. Thus, what is created is a situation where the collective will of the whole protects the rights of the individual from tyranny. With greater involvement in the political process under democracy a very conservative society resistant to progressive change is formed.

Class Discussion Questions McKay – “Alexander’s Legacy”, pp McKay – “The Spread of Hellenism”, pp

1. What was the idea of Common Peace and Federalism? Common Peace – belief that each polis should live in peace and harmony with the others Federalism – idea of a common bond between the polis in order to gain strength and security in numbers

2. What is hegemony and how does it disrupt the common peace? Each of the Greek city-states tried to become dominant over the others The rivalry prevented a true Common Peace or application of Greek Federalism

3. How did the Peloponnesian War open the way for Phillip of Macedonia? He took advantage of the division and fighting between the Greek polei 359 B.C. – becomes king of Macedonia 338 B.C. – defeated the Athenians The defeat of Athens ended the classical Greek period and gave the Macedonians dominance in the region

4. What is the significance of the rule of Phillip of Macedonia? Hellenistic – the spread of Greek culture, language, thought, and the way of life east through Persia and India It is the spread of western culture that paved the way for the spread of the Roman culture

5. Who was Alexander the Great? 336 B.C. - took control of Macedonia after the death of his father Phillip Led his army on missions of conquest as far away as the Indus River

6. What did Alexander the Great accomplish during his life? He took control of Egypt and was eventually proclaimed pharaoh Considered himself the son of Zeus Only stopped his mission of conquest under the threat of mutiny

7. What happened to Alexander’s empire after his death? Upon his death, Alexander’s infant son was killed Rival for the throne immediately began fighting The empire was split into three parts: Antigonid Dynasty (Macedonia), Ptolemies (Egypt), and Selucid (Asia Minor / India) By thus point the polis had lost power and influence and was replaced by the leagues of city-states: Aetolian League (western and central Greece) and the Achean League (Peloponnesus) Athens and Sparta were relegated to third rate powers There was no lasting peace

8. What was the legacy of Alexander the Great? Alexander founded many new Greek cities and military colonies Those new colonies and cities scattered Greeks throughout the east As these people moved east so to did Greek culture Greeks and those people of the east became familiar with and adapted to each others customs, religions, and ways of life The diffusion of Greek culture was widespread but not deeply entrenched in the areas it spread to

9. How were the new Hellenistic kingdoms governed? This era saw a resurgence of monarchy Kings needed the authority to rule and created a ruler cult that linked the kings with that of the gods The Greek concept of sovereignty was central to the operation of the polis Hellenistic kings refused to grant sovereignty to cities thus preventing the creation of a true polis

1. What is Hellenistic culture? Hellenistic – the spread of Greek culture, language, thought, and the way of life east through Persia and India It is the spread of western culture that paved the way for the spread of the Roman culture

2. How was Greek culture spread to the east? Well paying jobs and economic success was available in the eastern cities Readily available employment was to be had in the armies and navies of the monarchies – these became professional (mercenary) military units composed almost entirely of Greeks and Macedonians With this migration came Greek culture

3. How was Greek culture accepted in the east? Greek culture spread far and wide through the eastern world but was not deeply ingrained in the fabric of the people Greek culture was accepted as a form of personal protection against retribution and persecution by the Greeks In the end the major institutions such as laws and language of the east became Greek Easterners adopted Greek elements of culture and life that they found to be useful but did not fully embrace all aspects. This was especially true in the countryside.

4. Describe the Hellenistic city. These cities were similar to the modern city in that it was a cultural center, educational center, economic center, and commercial center Cosmopolitan in nature

5. Describe the new role of women in the Hellenistic world. Royal women began to take an active part in political and diplomatic life Greater educational opportunities were available With greater educational advancement more women began to enter professions such as medicine etc. Some women began to participate in politics and in civil capacity While rare some women were even granted honorary citizenship from foreign cities

6. What was the economic impact of Hellenism? Persia had vast sums of gold and silver which was used to finance the new cities and public works projects Through trade – customs knowledge and traditions were spread Great Silk Roads – silk and tea moved west from China while metal weapons, cloth, wine, and olive oil moved east from Greece Most trade took place along overland caravan routes – camel The sea route between east and west was important because it kept open direct relations between the two places as well as the exchange of goods and ideas Hellenistic Kingdoms had an abundance of grain and sold it to Greece and Macedonia for olive oil and wine