1. The Spread of Hellenistic Culture
Chapter 5 Section 5

2. First, A Review… Philip and Alexander were kings of which country?
Macedonia
Why did Philip want to take Persia?
It had wealthy provinces and to avenge the attacks on Greece years before
What did Alexander do with Darius’s offer of the Western half of the Persian empire?
Rejected it
How far had Alexander’s army marched in 11 years?
11,000 miles
Where was Alexander’s tomb located for centuries?
Alexandria

3. Hellenistic Culture in Alexandria
After Alexander the Great’s death, a new culture emerges-Greek Hellenic
Blended Greek, Egyptian, Persian and Indian influences together
Language was Koine (koy-nay) in Hellenistic cities like Alexandria

4. Alexandria, Egypt
Alexandria the center of commerce and Hellenistic civilization
Location- great place, located on edge of Nile delta
Population over 500,000

5. Modern view of Alexandria

6. Trade and Cultural Diversity
Very beautiful, majestic palaces that look over harbor
Ships from all around Mediterranean docked in its spacious harbor
Thriving commerce enabled Alexandria to grow and prosper
People of all cultures and trade mingled in crowded marketplaces

8. Alexandria’s Greatest Attractions
A tomb containing Alexander’s glass coffin was stored in Alexandria
An enormous stone lighthouse called the Pharos soared over the harbor
The lighthouse contained a bronze mirror that reflected the light from a blazing fire
Famous museum and library dedicated to the Muses, the Greek goddesses of art and sciences

9. Great Library in Alexandria, Egypt

11. Science and Technology
Scholars in Alexandria provided most of the scientific knowledge available
Museum contained small observatory where astronomers could study the planets and stars
Astronomer Aristarchus concluded that the sun was 300 times larger than the earth and that other planets revolve around the sun

12. Incorrect Information
Unfortunately, other astronomers refused to support Artistarchus’ theories
By 2nd century A.D. , another astronomer Ptolemy incorrectly placed the earth at the center of the solar system, and is believed to be true for next 1400 years

13. Earth’s Size
A scholar named Eratosthenes closely calculated the earth’s true size using geometry
He concluded the earth’s circumference at 24,662 miles
Today we compute the earth’s circumference to be 24,860 miles
His estimate was within 1% of our modern calculations

14. Mathematics and Physics
Euclid, a mathematician opened a school of geometry in Alexandria and wrote the book, Elements
Book was used in universities into the 1900’s
Archimedes, gifted in geometry and physics, studied at Alexandria
Accurately estimated the value of pi
Shared knowledge that helped build different machines

15. Philosophy and Art
Teachings of Plato and Aristotle very influential in Hellenistic philosophy
2 major philosophies develop during this period- Stoicism and Epicureanism

16. Stoicism Greek philosopher Zeno founded stoicism
Philosophy based on ethics
Proposed people should live life in harmony with natural law
Preached that things like human desires, power and wealth were dangerous distractions that should be controlled
Encourage those to focus on things they could control

18. Epicureanism Greek philosopher Epicurus founded Epicureanism
Taught the universe was composed of atoms and ruled by gods who had no interest in humans
Believed the main goal of humans was achieve harmony of body and mind
Today, the word epicurean means one devoted to pursuing human pleasures

20. Realism in Sculpture
Like science, sculpture flourished during Hellenistic period, sculptures and statues were displayed
Largest known statue was the Colossus of Rhodes- bronze statue stood more than 100 feet high
Legend said it straddled the harbor, but experts don’t think that is true
Was destroyed by an earthquake, and bronze was sold for scrap

22. Hellenistic Sculptors
Hellenistic sculptors moved away from the harmonic balance and began to create more realistic works
Instead of a serene face and perfect body, they began to create more natural works
Explored new subjects like ordinary people, and a wrinkled old peasant woman

24. Decline By 150 B.C., Hellenistic world was on a decline
A new city Rome was growing and gaining strength
Through Rome, Greek-style drama, architecture, sculpture, religion and philosophy were preserved and became the core of Western Civilization

25. Just for Fun… Wife Swap- Athens/ Sparta