Greek Culture and the Hellenistic Period

Doric

Basic column design that lacked bases

Ionic

Columns had bases and a spiral decoration at the top (volute).

Corinthian

Complex column with bases and an elaborate, often floral design on the volute (top).

Vases

Vases were practical to transport/store items, but also were decorated. They often depicted daily life in black on red (black-figure) or red on black paint (red-figure).

Greek Art

Often depicted Arete (excellence) during the classical period. Sculptures were more life-like.

Role of Women

Women were to be married and to be mothers, represented by the goddess, Hera.

Hera

Greek goddess that depicted the prime example of a Greek woman’s role.

Artemis/Athena

Greek goddesses, contrary to the role of Greek women.

Herodotus

Considered the father of history, he traveled to many places. He wrote about the Greco-Persian wars. Many believed he was not credible since he wrote down whatever people would tell him. He aimed for those in the future to determine true from false.

Thucydides

An Athenian general that recorded the Peloponnesian War. He believed in the incorporation of drama, so he would often insert speeches into other people’s mouths.

Xenophon

Athenian historian that picked up where Thucydides left off. He also wrote the Anabasis, which detailed Greek participation in a Persian civil war, led by Cyrus.

Greek Theater

Drama as we know it today appeared, often depicting tragedy or comedy. Plays were performed by all-male casts. Many tragedies were political commentary.

Aristophanes

Greek playwright that wrote works such as Lysistra, Clouds, and The Birds.

Aiskhylos

Wrote about the curse of the House of Atreus (Orestia trilogy). The plays were Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, and The Furies.

Sophokles

Wrote the Oedipus trilogy: Oedipus Rex, Oedipus Colonnus, and Antigone, all about tragedies of ancient legends of Thebes.

Euripides

Most famous work is Medeia; about a scorned wife who seeks revenge on her husband. 

Philosophy

Means “love of wisdom”. Philosophy increasingly focused on abstract thoughts, as well as truth or meaning of living.

Sophist

Teachers of philosophy

Socrates

He was an egalitarian, and believed only the wealthy and educated should be in rule. This was because he believed the wealthy had more to lose, and should strive for success. Because of his beliefs, he was largely unpopular.

Plato

A student of Socrates, he believed that there should be a highly educated head of the government assisted in leading by educated elites (his Republic). He also focused on ideas based on character and good ethics. He also founded The Academy, and wrote The Republic.

Aristotle

A student of Plato, he believed that everything and everyone had a set purpose in their life. He also believed that the power should belong to the rich and educated. He was one of Alexander the Great’s teachers.

Cynics

A philosopher of plain and simple living, he abandoned all traditional aspects of life like loyalty to the city.

Diogenes

Gave up all worldly traditions. He believed in the reality of human beings only coming out when they had nothing to hide.

Epikouros

He believed that life was short, so you should live it to the fullest (live wisely, honorably, and justly).

Zeno and the Stoics

The only way to live a pain-free life was to have moderation of all things. Believed the universe was guided by logos, or the divine reason.

Hellenistic

Greek-like, or Greek-influenced.

Macedonia

Differed from the rest of Greece in the fact that they retained a monarchy. They were considered outcasts as other city-states viewed them as non-Greek, despite them being able to participate in the Olympic Games (as well as Hercules being the kings’ ancestor).

Philip II

One of the most prominent leaders of Macedon, he used marriage and treaties to create diplomatic relationships and expand his empire. He learned the Theban military tactics while hostage. He improved the hoplites by adding cavalry.

Sarisa

Longer type of spear added to the Macedonian phalanx.

Isocrates

Athenian political figure that believed they should join Macedon instead of Thebes.

Demosthenes

Argued that Athens should join Thebes since he believed Philip was evil.

Battle of Chaeronea

Macedon fights Thebes allied with Athens, led by Philip II. Macedon destroys the independence of Greek City-States.

Alexander the Great

Son of Philip II, he conquered most of the known world under the Macedonian empire. He was a great military leader, however he was an early alcoholic and egotistical.

Granicus River

Alexander is outnumbered, but Darius of Persia underestimates Alexander. Alexander then outmaneuvers the Persian forces and wins.

Issos

Darius tries to use the full Persian army, but Alexander still outmaneuvers him and wins. Darius flees after every battle.

Tyre

____ was considered the unsiegeable city due to its island refuge off the coast. It took Alexander 18 months to siege it. He had to build a bridge to the island.

Gaugamela

Darius brings his whole army as well as his family to the Persian camp. He loses, and flees again back to Persepolis. He was executed by Persian nobles after returning to Persepolis. Alexander arrives at Persepolis and wipes out noble families because he believed only a king should kill a king.

Hydaspes

Alexander arrives in India and faces an Indian king. He had the lower ground, so he had to cross the wide river at night and lost some men to drowning. He eventually defeated the king. After this battle, his men refused to fight and wanted to go home. Alexander died shortly after on the way home from sickness or poisoning.

Diadokhoi

Five of Alexander’s generals that fought in a Macedonian civil war for rulership. Out of them, three groups emerged; the Antigonids (Macedon), the Ptolemies (Egypt), and the Seleucids (Syria/eastern provinces).

Antigonids

Maintained Greek traditions to please the Greek people, remained in Macedon.

Ptolemies

Led originally by Alexander’s general, Ptolemy. Ruled Egypt from Alexandria and adopted many Egyptian traditions (royal incest and divine kingship). Their kings afterwards were Philadelphos (sibling-loving), Eurgetes (benefactor), and Philopator (father-loving, believed to have murdered his father).

Ptolemy Architecture

The huge lighthouse at Alexandria (considered a wonder of the world) was built. They also created a huge library, attracting many scholars.

Eratosthenes

Mapmaker who calculated the circumference of the earth with only a small percent of error. Proved the earth was round.

Archimedes

Mathematician that developed the lever, as well as the concept of water displacement.

Syncretism

The ability to recognize gods in other cultures.

Isis

Egyptian goddess worshiped in Greece

Serapis

Combination of the gods Osiris with a sacred bull, and Zeus with Dionysus.

Seleucids

Similar to the Ptolemies, settled in Babylonia, but mainly newly-founded cities like Antioch. They also claimed divine right and practiced incest.

Hellenistic Influence

Leaders of smaller areas claimed the title of basileus and issued Greek-style coins.

Pergamon

The perfect Greek city, led by King Attalos I, who drove out Persian rule.