🗡️Ancient Greece Unit 9 – Alexander the Great & Hellenistic Era

Who Was Alexander the Great?

• King of Macedon (336-323 BCE) who conquered vast territories across Europe, Asia, and Africa
• Son of King Philip II of Macedon and Queen Olympias
• Tutored by the renowned philosopher Aristotle in his youth
• Undefeated military commander who never lost a battle
• Created one of the largest empires in ancient history stretching from Greece to India
• Spread Greek culture, language, and customs throughout his empire (Hellenization)
• Died at the age of 32 in Babylon, possibly due to illness or poisoning
• Remembered as one of the greatest military leaders and strategists in history

Alexander's Early Life and Rise to Power

• Born in Pella, the ancient capital of Macedonia, in 356 BCE
• Showed great promise and intelligence from a young age
• Tamed the wild horse Bucephalus at age 12, which became his loyal steed
• Appointed regent of Macedonia by his father Philip II at age 16 while Philip was on campaign
  • Quelled a rebellion in Thrace during this time
• Became king of Macedonia after his father's assassination in 336 BCE
• Consolidated power by eliminating potential rivals and securing the loyalty of the army
• Began his conquest of the Persian Empire in 334 BCE

Major Military Campaigns and Conquests

• Battle of the Granicus River (334 BCE): Decisive victory over the Persian satraps in Asia Minor
• Siege of Tyre (332 BCE): Captured the heavily fortified Phoenician city after a seven-month siege
  • Constructed a causeway to reach the island city
• Battle of Issus (333 BCE): Defeated the Persian king Darius III, who fled the battlefield
• Conquest of Egypt (332 BCE): Crowned as Pharaoh and founded the city of Alexandria
• Battle of Gaugamela (331 BCE): Final defeat of Darius III, leading to the fall of the Persian Empire
• Invasion of India (326 BCE): Crossed the Hindu Kush and defeated King Porus at the Battle of the Hydaspes
  • His troops, exhausted from years of campaigning, mutinied and refused to go further

Leadership Style and Military Tactics

• Charismatic leader who inspired loyalty and devotion from his troops
• Led by example, often fighting on the front lines alongside his men
• Employed innovative military tactics, such as the use of the Macedonian phalanx
  • Phalanx was a dense formation of soldiers armed with long spears (sarissas)
• Utilized cavalry, particularly the Companion Cavalry, for shock attacks and flanking maneuvers
• Adapted his strategies to the terrain and the enemy, demonstrating flexibility
• Encouraged the adoption of Persian customs and attire to facilitate the integration of his empire
• Promoted meritocracy, appointing individuals based on ability rather than birth

The Hellenistic World: Alexander's Legacy

• Empire fragmented into smaller kingdoms ruled by his generals (Diadochi) after his death
  • Ptolemaic Kingdom in Egypt, Seleucid Empire in Persia, Antigonid Dynasty in Macedonia
• Spread of Greek culture, language, and customs throughout the conquered territories (Hellenization)
• Foundation of new cities, such as Alexandria in Egypt, which became centers of learning and trade
• Increased cultural exchange between the Greek world and the East
• Development of Hellenistic art, which blended Greek and Eastern styles
• Advances in science, mathematics, and philosophy during the Hellenistic period
• Emergence of new philosophical schools, such as Stoicism and Epicureanism

Cultural and Intellectual Developments

• Hellenistic period saw a flourishing of art, literature, and science
• Alexandrian Library and Museum became a major center of learning
  • Attracted scholars from across the Mediterranean world
• Euclid wrote "Elements," a foundational work in mathematics and geometry
• Archimedes made significant contributions to physics, engineering, and mathematics
  • Developed the Archimedes' screw for lifting water
• Eratosthenes calculated the circumference of the Earth with remarkable accuracy
• Astronomical advances, including the heliocentric model proposed by Aristarchus of Samos
• Development of the Hellenistic sculpture style, characterized by realism and emotion (Laocoön and His Sons)
• New literary forms, such as the pastoral poetry of Theocritus

Key Figures and Events of the Hellenistic Era

• Ptolemy I Soter: General of Alexander who founded the Ptolemaic Dynasty in Egypt
• Seleucus I Nicator: Founder of the Seleucid Empire in Persia and Mesopotamia
• Antigonus I Monophthalmus: Ruler of Macedonia and Anatolia, fought in the Wars of the Diadochi
• Pyrrhus of Epirus: King of Epirus who fought against the Romans in Italy
  • Origin of the term "Pyrrhic victory"
• Cleopatra VII: Last ruler of the Ptolemaic Dynasty, formed alliances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony
• Rosetta Stone: Decree issued in 196 BCE during the Ptolemaic Dynasty, key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs
• Pergamon Altar: Monumental altar from the city of Pergamon, featuring a frieze depicting the Gigantomachy

Impact on Modern History and Culture

• Alexander's conquests facilitated the spread of Greek culture and language across a vast area
• Hellenistic period saw significant advances in art, architecture, science, and philosophy
  • Many of these achievements laid the foundation for later developments in Western civilization
• The legend of Alexander the Great has inspired countless works of art, literature, and film
• Military leaders throughout history have studied Alexander's tactics and strategies
• The city of Alexandria, founded by Alexander, remains a major cultural and economic center in Egypt
• Hellenistic art, particularly sculpture, has had a lasting influence on Western art
  • Realism, emotion, and dynamism of Hellenistic sculpture inspired artists during the Renaissance and beyond
• The Hellenistic period paved the way for the rise of the Roman Empire and the spread of Christianity