Chapter 5 Notes

1. Chapter 5 Notes Ancient Greece

2. Chapter 5 Notes • Alexander the Great-Alexander formed a huge empire that stretched from Egypt to India, spreading Greek culture to these areas • The Rise of Macedonia • Following the Peloponnesian War the Macedonians, under the rule of Philip II seized control of the old Athenian Empire • Macedonia was led by King Phillip II – his son was Alexander • King Phillip was assassinated allowing Alexander to take the throne and continue building an empire- 336BC

3. Chapter 5 Notes Alexander’s Conquest • Alexander was trained from birth to be a ruler, learning warfare and politics from his family and the philosopher Aristotle • When Alexander became king revolts broke out – Alexander dealt swiftly and harshly with rebellions which solidified his control • Alexander quickly led his armies against Persia and Egypt, then to Mesopotamia • Following the defeat of the Persian empire Alexander led his armies deeper into Asia conquering territory to India • Alexander’s soldiers war-weariness and home-sickness inhibited his ability to continue expanding – despite this event Alexander’s empire was the largest empire ever seen

4. Chapter 5 Notes • When Alexander was in Babylon he died suddenly his military generals began fighting for power – this led to the empire being divided into three kingdoms • Antigonus- Macedonia and Greece • Seleucus- Persian Empire • Ptolemy- Egypt

5. Knowledge Checkpoint How old was Alexander when he began his reign? What cause Rebellion in Greece? Why do you think The Egyptians viewed Alexander the Great as a liberator? Why do you think Alexander The Great not name an heir?

6. Chapter 5 Notes • The Hellenistic World • During his conquests Alexander ruled over many different people with different cultures • The blending of Greek culture with cultures from Egypt, Persia, and Asia led to a new culture called Hellenistic (Greek-like) • Alexander purposefully blended cultures • Married Persian Princesses • He built great cities such as Alexandria which was the home of the Great Lighthouse and the Great Library • Many of these cities became centers of culture and trade – trade included goods as well as ideas

7. Chapter 5 Notes • Life in the Hellenistic world saw many drastic changes • There was a change in how people were governed – the polis was replaced by the kingdom • Democracy had changed to monarchies • Women had few rights in ancient Greece, but during the Hellenistic age they could be educated and own property, however, they still weren’t considered equals to men.

8. Chapter 5 Notes • Hellenistic Achievements • Exchanges of ideas led to advancements in philosophy, literature, and science • Philosophy – 3 new schools of thought • Cynicism – reject pleasure, wealth, social responsibility • Epicurean – seek pleasure (good) – avoid pain (evil) • Stoicism – emphasis on reason, self-discipline • Art and literature • Women became more common subjects of art and literature • Love stories were popularized • Focus on common events in people’s everyday lives • Science • Euclid (Yoo-kluhd) – geometry • Eratosthenes (er-uh-thas-thuh-neez) – calculating size of world – very close • Archimedes – inventor – devices made life easier – levers/pulleys, mechanical screw

9. Knowledge Checkpoint Why might women have appreciated changes in Hellenistic world? What new type of literature genre became popular in the Hellenistic period? What was the source of significant change in the Hellenistic society? Which ancient scholar contributed basic ideas of geometry? Why was Archimedes the most significant person in scientific and technological advancement in the Hellenistic period?