The Hellenistic Age: Cultural Diffusion

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the Hellenistic Age and cultural diffusion.

Hellenic

Refers to the period of Greek history before the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C.

Hellenistic

The period from 323 B.C. to 30 B.C., characterized by the spread of Greek culture following Alexander's conquests.

Greco-Roman

The cultural blend of Greek and Roman influences from 30 B.C. to the latter half of the fifth century A.D.

Polis

A city-state in ancient Greece, a fundamental political unit.

Cosmopolitanism

A social theory emphasizing the idea of all human beings belonging to a single community, regardless of geographical or cultural boundaries.

Parochialism

A narrow or limited outlook, often focused on local concerns over global or universal ones.

Alexandria

The greatest and most representative city of the Hellenistic world, founded by Alexander the Great.

Septuagint

The Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, used by Greek-speaking Jews.

Diaspora

The dispersion of any people from their original homeland; in this context, referring to Jews living outside Judea.

Ptolemies

The dynasty that ruled Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great.

Seleucids

The dynasty that ruled over much of the former territories of Alexander in western Asia.

Antigonids

The dynasty that ruled Macedonia after the division of Alexander's empire.

Epicurus

A philosopher who founded Epicureanism, emphasizing pleasure as the highest good.

Stoicism

A philosophy founded by Zeno that teaches virtue, wisdom, and self-control as the path to happiness.

Skepticism

A philosophical school that questions the possibility of certainty in knowledge.

Cynicism

A philosophical school that advocates for living virtuously in agreement with nature, often rejecting societal norms.

Cosmopolitan

Characterized by a sense of belonging to the whole world rather than just one specific locality.

Cultural diffusion

The spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another.

Hellenization

The historical spread of ancient Greek culture, language, and people.

Alexander the Great

King of Macedonia who created one of the largest empires in ancient history.

Macedonia

An ancient kingdom located in the northern part of Greece; the birthplace of Alexander the Great.

Chaeronea

The location of the battle where Philip II of Macedonia defeated the Greeks in 338 B.C.

Aristarchus

An Alexandrian astronomer who proposed the heliocentric model of the universe.

Euclid

An Alexandrian mathematician known as the 'Father of Geometry'.

Eratosthenes

An Alexandrian geographer who calculated the Earth's circumference.

Archimedes

An Alexandrian mathematician and inventor known for his contributions to physics and engineering.

Menander

A Hellenistic playwright known for his contributions to New Comedy.

Callimachus

A scholar-poet from the Hellenistic period known for his work in literature.

Theocritus

An ancient Greek poet known for his pastoral poetry.

Polybius

A historian of the Hellenistic period known for his work on the Roman Republic.

Hellenistic art

Art from the Hellenistic period characterized by realism and individuality.

Medical skills

Knowledge and techniques related to the treatment of diseases and injuries during the Hellenistic Age.

Intermarriage

Marriages between people from different cultural or ethnic groups.

Trade

The exchange of goods and services between peoples.

Alienation

The feeling of being isolated or estranged from a group.

Community

A group of individuals living in a specific locality and characterized by shared customs and interests.

Civil law

The body of laws governing the rights and duties of individuals.

Moral values

Principles that guide behavior regarding what is right and wrong.

Sophisticated Skeptics

Philosophers who thoroughly questioned theories and beliefs, often refuting them.

Diogenes

A prominent philosopher of the Cynic school known for his ascetic lifestyle.

Logos

The rational principle that governs and develops the universe, significant in Stoic philosophy.

Universalism

The idea that all humans are fundamentally equal and deserving of the same rights.

Intellectuals

People engaged in critical thinking, research, and reflection about society and culture.

Social theory

The study of social behavior or society, including its origins, development, and institutions.

Civic life

Participation in the political and community activities associated with citizenship.

Cultural exchange

The process by which different cultures share ideas, traditions, and customs.

Traditional Greek view of moderation

The belief that one should avoid excess and seek balance.

Philosophy

The study of fundamental questions regarding existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language.

Human equality

The belief that all people have the same rights and should be treated equally.

World-state

The concept in Stoicism that the world is a single community of all human beings.

Ascetic lifestyle

A lifestyle characterized by abstinence from worldly pleasures, often for spiritual reasons.

Empirical observation

The practice of observing the natural world to gain knowledge.

Infrastructure

The physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society.

Panhellenism

The idea of promoting the unity of all Greek states.

Educational institutions

Organizations dedicated to education, such as schools and universities.

Ecliptic

The apparent path of the sun across the sky, significant in astronomy.

Cynics

Philosophers who rejected conventional desires for wealth and power.

Philosophers

Individuals who seek wisdom and understanding of fundamental concepts.

Rural areas

Regions located outside towns and cities, often characterized by agriculture.

Urban centers

Habitations that are characterized by high population density and vast human-made structures.

Hellenistic society

A society that is marked by the diffusion of Greek culture through the territories conquered by Alexander the Great.

Artistic expression

The use of creative skills to convey aesthetic beauty and human experiences.

Automation

The use of machines to perform tasks that would otherwise require human labor.

Language diffusion

The dissemination of a language and its associated culture.

Historical narrative

A representation of past events, especially those significant to a culture or group.

Cultural identity

The sense of belonging to a group with shared beliefs, values, and practices.

Political discourse

The discussion surrounding political issues and policies.

Ethical frameworks

Systems of thought that provide guidance on what is right or wrong.

Literary canon

A collection of literary works considered to be authoritative or essential.

Tradition

A long-established custom or belief that is passed down through generations.

Artistic legacy

The influence and impact of past art forms on present and future creative works.

Philosophical debate

A formal discussion regarding ethical, metaphysical, or epistemological issues.

Historiography

The study of historical writing and the methods of historians.

Religious intermingling

The blending of beliefs and practices from different religions.

Cultural plurality

The existence of multiple distinct cultural groups within a society.

Theater of the absurd

A style of drama that focuses on the illogical nature of existence.

Dialectic method

A form of dialogue that emphasizes reasoned discussion and disagreement.

Artistic innovation

The introduction of new ideas and creative processes in the arts.

Cultural richness

The abundance of diverse cultural traditions and practices within a community.

Democracy

A system of government in which power is vested in the people.

Bureaucracy

A system of government in which state officials make decisions rather than elected representatives.

Surveillance

The monitoring of behavior and activities, often for the purpose of governance.

Thing that indicates cultural behavior

Any object, action, or event that reflects the values or practices of a particular culture.

Abstract thought

The ability to think about concepts and ideas that are not tangible.

Scholarly research

In-depth investigation and study of a particular subject or topic.

Textual analysis

The evaluation of written works to understand their meaning and context.

Psychological implications

The effects that certain actions or behaviors can have on an individual's mental state.

Cultural assimilation

The process whereby individuals or groups adopt the culture of another group.

Political ideology

A set of beliefs about politics and government.

Economic theories

Principles that explain the workings of economies and economic behaviors.

Colonial legacy

The impacts and influences that colonialism has left on societies.

Social reform

The intent to improve society by changing social practices.

Civilizations

Complex societies characterized by urban development, social stratification, and cultural achievements.

Religion and philosophy

The intertwined study of spiritual beliefs and existential inquiries.

Mythology

A body of myths, especially belonging to a particular religious or cultural tradition.

Sociocultural dynamics

The interaction between social and cultural factors in shaping society.

Historical context

The background information and circumstances that surround a particular event or period.

Governance

The act or manner of governing or overseeing the conduct of a political unit.

Cultural institutions

Organizations that preserve and promote cultural heritage.

Metaphysical speculation

Contemplation regarding the fundamental nature of reality and existence.