ALEXANDER THE GREAT AND HELLENISM

1. ALEXANDER THE GREAT AND HELLENISM

2. ALEXANDER & HELLENISM • weakened by the Peloponnesian War, the Greeks are defeated by Phillip II at the battle of Chaeronea • Most Macedonians considered themselves Greeks but were looked down upon by the Greeks • Phillip further develops “Phalanx” strategy, which is refined by his son Alexander • Phillip was obsessed with revenge against Persia and passed it on to his son PHILLIP II ALEXANDER

3. ALEXANDER & HELLENISM • Phillip’s relationship with Alexander was complex to say the least. He was tutored by Aristotle. • Phillip was killed at his daughter’s wedding by the captain of his bodyguard. Alexander becomes king at age 20. Did Olympias have something to do with it? • Alexander has his rivals murdered. • Several Greek city states openly rebelled after Phillip’s death. Alexander ruthlessly put down revolts. • 334 BC- Alexander begins an invasion of Persia with 35000 soldiers. • Alexander defeats Darius at several battles, the most decisive of which is Gaugamela.

6. ALEXANDER & HELLENISM • Alexander eventually reaches the Indus River Valley. • His soldiers are beginning to turn against him and he departs for Babylon where he dies at age 32 after a bout of excessive drinking. • Alexander’s cultural impact. • Greek culture meshes with Egyptian, Persian, and Indian influences. Becomes known as “Hellenistic” culture. • Alexandria emerges as a cultural and commercial center • Astronomy: Aristarchus, Eratosthenes and Ptolemy • Euclid and geometry • Archimedes