Classical Civilizations: Ancient Greece Chapter 10 By: Brady Pelkey

The Hellenistic Empires After the reign of Alexander the Great ended with his death, his surviving generals jockeyed for positions with the hopes of gaining control over the empire. After the reign of Alexander the Great ended with his death, his surviving generals jockeyed for positions with the hopes of gaining control over the empire. By 275 B.C.E., the empire was divided into three main states: Greece/Macedon (ruled by Antigonus), Egypt (ruled by Ptolemy), and the former Achmaenid empire (ruled by Seleucid). By 275 B.C.E., the empire was divided into three main states: Greece/Macedon (ruled by Antigonus), Egypt (ruled by Ptolemy), and the former Achmaenid empire (ruled by Seleucid). During this period, Greeks culture extended itself throughout more of the ancient world. During this period, Greeks culture extended itself throughout more of the ancient world.

The Antigonid Empire Though the Antigonid Empire, containing Greece and Macedon, was the smallest of the new Hellenistic empires, it benefited greatly from the new order which resulted from Alexanders’ death. Though the Antigonid Empire, containing Greece and Macedon, was the smallest of the new Hellenistic empires, it benefited greatly from the new order which resulted from Alexanders’ death. Larger cities, such as Athens and Corinth, flourished under increased trade, and also lead to the surplus population which colonized many new cities. Larger cities, such as Athens and Corinth, flourished under increased trade, and also lead to the surplus population which colonized many new cities. Tension existed, however, between the individualist Greek cities, which attempted to resist the empire, and the determined rulers. Tension existed, however, between the individualist Greek cities, which attempted to resist the empire, and the determined rulers.

Ptolemic Empire The Ptolemic Empire was the wealthiest of the Hellenistic territories. The Ptolemic Empire was the wealthiest of the Hellenistic territories. Greek overlords interfered minimally with the Egyptian society, instead focusing on efficiently organizing agriculture and the economy. Greek overlords interfered minimally with the Egyptian society, instead focusing on efficiently organizing agriculture and the economy. Among the roles the government played in the economy were the royal monopolies on textiles and beer, maintaining irrigation networks, and the cultivation of crops. Among the roles the government played in the economy were the royal monopolies on textiles and beer, maintaining irrigation networks, and the cultivation of crops.

Alexandria: Cultural Capital of the Hellenistic World Alexandria, though the political capital of the Ptolemic Empire, quickly evolved into a far greater role in Hellenistic society. The wealthiest, largest, and most influential port in the Mediterranean, it attracted migrants from both the surrounding Mediterranean cities and beyond. Alexandria, though the political capital of the Ptolemic Empire, quickly evolved into a far greater role in Hellenistic society. The wealthiest, largest, and most influential port in the Mediterranean, it attracted migrants from both the surrounding Mediterranean cities and beyond. Alexandria also became the site of the famous Alexandrian Museum and Alexandrian library, state-funded havens for philosophical, mathematical, and scientific research. Alexandria also became the site of the famous Alexandrian Museum and Alexandrian library, state-funded havens for philosophical, mathematical, and scientific research.

The Seleucid Empire In the Seleucid Empire, Greek influence was the strongest of the Hellenistic domains. Greek and Macedonian colonists would flock to the quickly growing Persian cities first founded by Alexander, leading several of these settlements to become thriving commercial centers. In the Seleucid Empire, Greek influence was the strongest of the Hellenistic domains. Greek and Macedonian colonists would flock to the quickly growing Persian cities first founded by Alexander, leading several of these settlements to become thriving commercial centers. From the Seleucid Empire, Greek influence traveled throughout Bactria, India, and other distant lands. From the Seleucid Empire, Greek influence traveled throughout Bactria, India, and other distant lands.

Bactria: Despite its distance from central Greece, Bactria had constant communication with the rest of the Greek world. Despite its distance from central Greece, Bactria had constant communication with the rest of the Greek world. After circa 250 B.C.E., governors of Bactria seceded from the Seleucid Empire to create their own Greek kingdom. After circa 250 B.C.E., governors of Bactria seceded from the Seleucid Empire to create their own Greek kingdom. Excavations show that Bactria’s inhabitants spoke the Greek language, constructed Greek- style buildings, read Greek literature and philosophy, and honored Greek deities (as well as Asian and Persian ones, indicating an Achmaenid-like acceptance of the local culture by the ruling class). Excavations show that Bactria’s inhabitants spoke the Greek language, constructed Greek- style buildings, read Greek literature and philosophy, and honored Greek deities (as well as Asian and Persian ones, indicating an Achmaenid-like acceptance of the local culture by the ruling class). Bactrian stamp seal

Greek Trade Greece, being ideally suited for the growth of olives and grapes, traded the resulting oils and wines around the Mediterranean for the abundant amounts of grain Greece’s large cities required. Greece, being ideally suited for the growth of olives and grapes, traded the resulting oils and wines around the Mediterranean for the abundant amounts of grain Greece’s large cities required. By the eight century B.C.E., merchants and mariners had linked Greece to Egypt, Sicily, Russia, Spain, and Anatolia. By the eight century B.C.E., merchants and mariners had linked Greece to Egypt, Sicily, Russia, Spain, and Anatolia.

Economic Organization The large volumes of trade promoted increased commercial and economic organization. Ship owners, merchants, and moneylenders began to evolve complex partnerships and relationships which held legally acceptable clauses and terms. The large volumes of trade promoted increased commercial and economic organization. Ship owners, merchants, and moneylenders began to evolve complex partnerships and relationships which held legally acceptable clauses and terms. Manufacturers also began to increase size, with records showing some factories with over 120 slaves. Manufacturers also began to increase size, with records showing some factories with over 120 slaves.

Olympic Games According to tradition, in 776 B.C.E. communities from all over the Mediterranean gathered in an athletic competition. Events such as long jump, javelin tossing, and boxing were tested. According to tradition, in 776 B.C.E. communities from all over the Mediterranean gathered in an athletic competition. Events such as long jump, javelin tossing, and boxing were tested. Winners of events received olive wreaths, becoming celebrated heroes in their home poleis Winners of events received olive wreaths, becoming celebrated heroes in their home poleis

Family and Society In Greece, as elsewhere in the ancient (and regrettably, modern) world, society was strongly patriarchal. The male head of the family was given all of the power in a household, including the power of choosing which infants to keep and which to abandon. In Greece, as elsewhere in the ancient (and regrettably, modern) world, society was strongly patriarchal. The male head of the family was given all of the power in a household, including the power of choosing which infants to keep and which to abandon. However, women were given some legal rights: though not allowed to own land, they could be a priestess or own small businesses. Women also had a high degree of literacy, most famously, the Greek poet Sappo. However, women were given some legal rights: though not allowed to own land, they could be a priestess or own small businesses. Women also had a high degree of literacy, most famously, the Greek poet Sappo. Slavery was common in ancient Greece. Slaves, considered as private property by Greek law, mostly came from captured enemy soldiers and those who Greece traded with. Slavery was common in ancient Greece. Slaves, considered as private property by Greek law, mostly came from captured enemy soldiers and those who Greece traded with.

Rational Thought and Philosophy The main founder of modern philosophy was Socrates, a reflective Athenian who subjected traditional beliefs to skeptical scrutiny through a method of inquiry now called a “Socratic dialogue” after him. The main founder of modern philosophy was Socrates, a reflective Athenian who subjected traditional beliefs to skeptical scrutiny through a method of inquiry now called a “Socratic dialogue” after him. Plato, a student of Socrates, originated the theory of Forms, along with various other detailed metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical theories. Plato, a student of Socrates, originated the theory of Forms, along with various other detailed metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical theories. Aristotle, a student of Plato, then went on to devise rigorous rules of logic and to elaborate on the basic principles of physics, politics, and biology. Aristotle, a student of Plato, then went on to devise rigorous rules of logic and to elaborate on the basic principles of physics, politics, and biology.

Popular Religion/Greek Drama Though unacquainted with the intellectual works of Socrates, Plato, and the other Greek philosopher/scientists, the rest of Greek society was also interested in the “great questions” of the universe. They found their answers in the dramatic, polytheistic religion they had inherited from their Indo-European ancestors. Though unacquainted with the intellectual works of Socrates, Plato, and the other Greek philosopher/scientists, the rest of Greek society was also interested in the “great questions” of the universe. They found their answers in the dramatic, polytheistic religion they had inherited from their Indo-European ancestors. From the chaotic void, they believed that the Earth emerged and created all things. From the chaotic void, they believed that the Earth emerged and created all things. Struggles between these gods and goddesses were thought to cause the day-to-day changes that we observe in the world. These feuds were often dramatized and put into the format of a play for the general public to understand the stories of the heavens. Struggles between these gods and goddesses were thought to cause the day-to-day changes that we observe in the world. These feuds were often dramatized and put into the format of a play for the general public to understand the stories of the heavens.

Hellenistic Philosophy and Religion The most popular Hellenistic groups of philosophers were the Epicureans, the Stoics, and the Skeptics. The most popular Hellenistic groups of philosophers were the Epicureans, the Stoics, and the Skeptics. The Epicureans identified a utilitarian variant of ethics, the Stoics thought that one should avoid the conflicts of Hellenistic society by performing only duties that reason obligated of you, and the Skeptics believed that true knowledge was unattainable, thus arguing was pointless. The Epicureans identified a utilitarian variant of ethics, the Stoics thought that one should avoid the conflicts of Hellenistic society by performing only duties that reason obligated of you, and the Skeptics believed that true knowledge was unattainable, thus arguing was pointless. While these philosophical doctrines appealed to the intellectual elite to explain the world, others required something more easily understandable. Out of this desire, the Greek religions of salvation were born, which comforted citizens and addressed the issues of the complex world they now dealt with. While these philosophical doctrines appealed to the intellectual elite to explain the world, others required something more easily understandable. Out of this desire, the Greek religions of salvation were born, which comforted citizens and addressed the issues of the complex world they now dealt with.