Hellenistic and Roman Culture

1. Hellenistic and Roman Culture Glencoe World History pages 141-143 and p. 163-168 SSWH3 The student will examine the political, philosophical, and cultural interaction of Classical Mediterranean societies from 700 BCE to 400 CE. c. Analyze the contributions of Hellenistic and Roman culture; include law, gender, and science.

2. The Legacy of Alexander • Greek language, architecture, literature & art diffused throughout the territory • Hellenistic = “to imitate Greeks” • The Hellenistic Kingdoms • 4 kingdoms developed that were ruler by Greek generals: • Macedonia, Syria, Pergamum, & Egypt • all were eventually conquered by the Romans • Alexandria, Egypt became the largest city in region • Encouraged Greek migration

3. HellenisticCulture • The libraries of Alexandria & Pergamum • Architecture & Sculpture: • Founding & rebuilding cities in Asia Minor employed Greek architects & sculptors • Art became more emotional & realistic (statues of women & children) • Science: • Aristarchus = Sun is the center of the Universe • not widely accepted • Eratosthenes = the Earth was round & circumference • Euclid = Plain Geometry (the Elements) • Archimedes of Syracuse = inventor & mathematician (Geometry, spheres, & Pi)

4. Hellenistic Philosophy & Literature • Hellenistic Philosophy: • Centered in Athens • Epicureanism = humans were free to follow self- interest as motivation • Happiness was the goal of life • the means to achieve happiness is the Pursuit of pleasure (freedom from emotional turmoil & worry), the only true good. • Stoicism = developed by Zeno, believed happiness could be found only when people gained inner peace by living in harmony with the will of God (later embraced by the Romans) • Literature: • Apollonius of Rhodes wrote Argonautica (Epic Poem) • Theocritis wrote shorter poems • Menander wrote a new kind of comedies

5. Culture and Society in the Roman World • Roman Art and Architecture • Produced realistic statues that included even unpleasant physical details • Excelled in architecture including the arch, dome, vault, roads, bridges, and aqueducts • The first to use concrete on a massive scale • Roman Literature • Virgil – poet who wrote Aeneid: written in honor of Rome • Horace- writer who laughed at the weaknesses of humans • Livy- historian who celebrated Rome’s greatness

6. The Roman Family • Families led by the paterfamilias- the dominant male • Raised their children at home • All (males & females) upper class children were expected to learn to read • Father chose how children would be educated • For females, 14 was the common age to get married, for males it was later (12 was the minimum) • Boys became men at the age of 16 with a special ceremony • Marriage meant for life, but divorce became fairly easy to obtain

7. Changing Roles • By the second century A.D. important changes were occurring in the Roman family • Upper class women had the right to own, inherit, and sell property • Women were appreciated as enjoyable company and were the center of household life • Upper class women could attend races, the theater, and events • Women of rank were accompanied by maids and companions when they went out

8. Slavery • In the ancient world no people had more slaves than the Romans • Greek slaves were in high demand • Built roads, public buildings and farmed large estates for the wealthy • Romans lived in great fear of their slaves • Spartacus, a gladiator, led the most famous slave revolt in 73 BC

10. Daily Life in the City of Rome • Center of the Roman Empire • Overcrowded and noisy • Cart & wagon traffic was banned during the day • An enormous gulf existed between the rich and the poor • Rome boasted public buildings such as temples, markets, baths, theaters, and amphitheaters • Entertainment was provided on a grand scale including horse & chariot races, dramatic performances, and gladiatorial shows