Hellenistic Civilization

How did the formation of the Hellenistic empires affect trade?

A common language and similar currency, together with improved roads and ports, established durable caravan routes that survived continuing wars.

When Hellenistic monarchs built new cities in newly conquered territories, what type of public structure would they also build?

Public parks

What is the name of the Jewish rebellion that took place from 166 to 164 B.C.E. and is remembered in Hanukkah?

Maccabee Revolt

What items did Greek city-states and Aegean societies trade for the essential commodity of grains?

Olive oil and wine

What does Hippocrates's writing about the four substances tell us about his understanding of disease?

He believed that disease was caused by an excess of a particular substance in the body.

As Hebrew communities in Hellenistic cities grew, what political corporations were they allowed to form?

Politeuma

The Stoics' most important practical achievement was the creation of the concept of:

Natural law

How did slavery affect the Hellenistic world?

Slavery was vitally important to the economy.

How did the nature of warfare change under the Hellenistic empires?

Warfare was no longer confined to the battlefield; cities were attacked directly and whole populations were threatened.

How did political administration develop in the Hellenized cities?

A corps of professional Greek administrators formed since kings appointed officials without the need for elections.

Which of the following characterizes the Hellenistic city?

In addition to its economic role, the Hellenistic city served as a cultural and educational center.

In attacking Persia, Alexander the Great was carrying out the intended plans of his father Philip.

Persia

Which philosopher's deathbed letter expressed the view that a life of contentment is the greatest good?

Epicurus

To the Greeks, civilized life was unthinkable outside of:

A city

Which philosophical school established the concept of "natural law"?

Stoicism

According to the text, the Hellenistic thinker Archimedes was most interested in:

The invention of catapults, water pumps, and other mechanical devices.

Alexander the Great used the wealth of Persia to:

Finance the creation of new cities.

What deity is an example of the assimilation of religion that occurred under Hellenistic monarchies?

Serapis

When Alexander began establishing cities in the Near and Middle East, with whom were the cities founded?

Greek mercenaries and Macedonian veterans unable to continue active military campaigning.

How did the Hellenistic empires revolutionize the art of warfare?

They introduced the practice of drills and training for troops.

The political history of the Hellenistic period was dominated by Greek leagues and:

Great monarchies

Eratosthenes was able to calculate with considerable accuracy:

The circumference of the earth

How did Euclid influence Western civilization?

With his text The Elements of Geometry

What primary advantage did Greek culture offer to non-Greeks?

It brought a new approach to nature, which opened nature to scientific investigation.

How did the Hellenistic empires affect the nature of warfare?

Warfare became more professional as soldiers became trained, full-time employees of the kings, who often gave them incentives to remain loyal.

As part of his staff on a military campaign, Alexander the Great brought with him:

Philosophers, poets, and scientists, who mapped and studied the countries invaded.

How did Hellenistic culture influence the Jewish religion?

The Hebrew Bible and synagogue services were both translated into Greek as many Jews assimilated into Greek life.

How was the Greek world affected by the conquests of Alexander the Great?

The cultural and ethnic unity of the early Hellenic world was shattered by the cultural and ethnic diversity of the Hellenistic world.

Why did Alexander found new cities as he moved eastward?

To help maintain contact with the Greek world

What advantage did the new mystery cults of the Hellenistic world have over the older Greek mystery cults?

The new mystery cults were not tied to specific locations that required long pilgrimages, permitting them to spread more easily.

What was the most attractive feature of the Greek religious cults?

Their ability to satisfy deep spiritual yearnings

How did the Hellenistic city differ from the polis?

Hellenistic cities had free and independent markets for trade but few rights and suffered heavier taxation.

After Alexander's death, where did the Ptolemies found a dynasty?

Egypt

What can we conclude about Hippocrates's methods from his passage about studying a patient's face?

He believed that close observation of patients was important.

How did the Hellenistic states seek to improve the welfare of local populations?

They sponsored experimentation with seed grain to increase agricultural productivity.

In the Hellenistic city, Greeks represented:

An elite citizen class

How did the Ptolemies affect the local Egyptian population?

They tied locals more firmly to the land, cutting off traditional avenues of social and economic advancement.

On what did all of the major branches of Hellenistic philosophy agree?

People had all of the potential for goodness within themselves but had to free themselves from the restraints of society in order to pursue it.

Which new Greek dialect was formed due to the mobility of Greek soldiers and their assimilation with Greeks from other regions?

Koine

How were Greek women affected by the emergence of the Hellenized cities?

In Hellenized cities, women, especially those who were literate, had greater opportunity to engage in professions and participate in commercial affairs.

How did Hellenistic kings seek to establish a new form of political unity?

The king's authority was linked with that of the gods' authority in a cult of the ruler.

Who was Alexander addressing in the speech about Macedonians deserting him?

Macedonian troops

The role of women in Hellenistic society:

Improved mostly for upper-class and royal women.