The Spread of Hellenistic Culture

Objectives

Define Hellenistic Culture

Summarize the major science, philosophies and artistic styles of the Hellenistic period

Vocabulary

Hellenistic:

Hellenistic Culture

Hellenistic: Blending of Greek cultures with those of Persia, Egypt and Central Asia following the conquests of Alexander the Great

Alexandria, EgyptCenter of Hellenistic Spread customs and traditionsbecame center of learning and

scholarship

Library of Alexandria

Contains half million papyrus scrolls

Philosophy, literature, history, and sciences

First research library

Lighthouse of Pharos

Built on Island of Pharos

393-450 feet tallOne of the Seven

Wonders of the Ancient World

1303/1323 AD Destroyed by earthquakes

Astronomy

PtolemyIncorrectly placed earth at center of solar system AristarchusProposed Earth and otherand other planets revolved around

the sunEratosthenes Closely calculated Earth’s true size

Geometry

EuclidBasis for Geometry

ArchimedesCalculated PiLever, Pulley and Screw

ErathosthenesCalculated size of world

Philosophy

CynicismRejected ideas of

pleasure, wealth, and social responsibility

Believed people should live according to nature

StoicismPeople should live

virtuous life in harmony with natural laws

EpicureanismSeek pleasure, avoid pain

Develop close friendships with people of similar ideas

Art

Realism in Sculpture Flourishing of

sculpture Honored gods, heroes,

and ordinary people More realistic than

Ancient Greece, more ordinary

Influence would follow to Rome

Colossus of Rhodes Bronze statue One of the seven

wonders Toppled by earthquake

in 225 B.C.E.Nike of Samothrace (often Winged

Victory)Honor Goddess Nike

Hellenistic Sculpture

The Hellenistic Era/Kingdoms

Four kingdoms emerged after Alexander’s death 1. Macedonia 2. Syria 3. Pergamum (Turkey) 4. Egypt

All eventually were conquered by the Romans

Hellenistic Achievements

Category Achievements

Astronomy

Geometry

Philosophy

Art

Homework

Chart and Vocabulary Terms due Friday at the end of the hour

Quiz on Monday