1. Alexander’s Empire and Hellenistic Culture
CHW3MI – Mrs. Helmer

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

5. The Hellenistic Age
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 far- off parts of the world.
One of the cities Alexander founded, Alexandria in Egypt, became the greatest center of trade and learning.

6. Discovery and Invention
Greek science and math
Doctors made many discoveries about how the human body works.
Hippocrates is the father of medicine.
Archimedes = famous inventor of his time.
Pythagoras and Euclid = mathematicians.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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.

11. The Phalanx back

12. Greek Calvary Back

13. Battle of Gaugamela.

14. THE BATTLE OF GAUGAMELA – 331 BC
VIDEO
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- 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

15. Alexander the Great’s Empire
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16. The “Known” World – 326 B.C.E.
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17. Pergamum: A New “Hellenistic” City
Cosmopolitan Culture
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18. Trade in the Hellenistic World
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19. Cultural Diffusion Back

20. What concept is being shown here?

21. 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.