Western Civilization University High School

 constant warfare, political/military conflict between city-states  hegemony: political & military dominance of one city-state over the others (Sparta, then Athens)  rise of federalism: system of political power where independent states are bound together by a common federal government  inspiration for American federalism and US Constitution

 land north of mainland Greece  large area, big population, fertile land

 becomes king of Macedonia in 359 BCE  saw Athens as primary threat to Macedonia  began to expand Macedonian rule in NW Aegean Sea  by 338 BCE: conquered Athens and Thebes, took control of Greece

 used concepts of peace, federalism to rule conquered Greek lands  united Greek states under his control  retained many of the ancient Greek ideals and ways of living

Western Civilization University High School

 Philip II assassinated in 336 BCE  Macedonian throne  Alexander (his son)  overthrows Persians, spreads Hellenism (Greek culture & way of life) through Europe and Asia  Alexander’s rule (starting in 336 BCE) = beginning of Hellenistic era of Ancient Greece (and end of Hellenic era )

 wanted to complete dad’s plan to unite Macedonians & Greeks against the Persians  “a great crusade”  revenge for Persian invasions of Greek land  334 BCE: Alexander leads Macedonian/Greek army into Asia Minor  Included philosophers, poets, scientists, historians  document & spread Greek culture!

 in Egypt: took control, honored priests, named pharoah  consulted oracle of Zeus-Amon, began considering himself the son of Zeus

 in Persia:  defeated Persian army at Battle of Gaugamela  captured capital city (Persepolis) and burned Xerxes’ buildings in revenge for attacking Greece  captured last Persian capital (Ecbatana) in 330 BCE, killed Persian king

 Persian empire defeated, but Alexander not done yet  determined to explore and conquer all of Asia  326 BCE: crossed the Indus River into India

 323 BCE: Alexander the Great dies in Babylon at the age of 32

 demise of Persian empire (200 year rule)  established Macedonian monarchy instead  founded new colonies, cities across the East  connection between East and West  spread of Greek culture, ideas

 return of monarchies  historical concept for Greeks, but came back into fashion to unite disparate groups of people  kingship was hereditary (even for women, in some cases)

 Greeks were used to being sovereign: independent, free, autonomous  Greek immigration encouraged to provide people to run new Greek monarchies  offered land, money  built cities to resemble polis life

 cities had assemblies, etc.  but could not make treaties, wage wars, pursue foreign relations, etc.  appearance of democracy, but the king was ultimately in charge

 inequality in Hellenistic cities  natives/non-Greeks did not have same rights as Greeks  did not spark the same unity & togetherness that the polis had

 Hellenistic cities similar to today’s cities  cultural centers (temples, theaters)  educational centers (libraries, schools)  economic centers (marketplaces, trade)  political centers (rule of the king)

 “Greekness” (Hellenism) spread throughout the “East”  big advantage to adopting Hellenism: the pervasiveness of Greek ideas  ex. Greek became language of Egypt, East, etc. (commerce, trade, politics)  began giving citizenship to “Hellenized” citizens

 Complete all questions and activities in the DBQ packet.  Write a paragraph whether or not Alexander the Great should be considered “great.”  Use at least two documents from the Mini-Q packet to support your answer.  Due Monday, Feb. 26 th  Also due Monday: Ch. 3 Key Terms & Summary Questions