Hellenistic World

HST 362 — Hellenistic World Flashcard Study Exercise

Part I — Kings & Dynasties Flashcards

Seleucid Dynasty

Q: Who founded the Seleucid dynasty and what were his regnal years?
A: Seleucus I Nicator, 312–281 BCE.

Q: Which Seleucid king ruled from 281–261 BCE?
A: Antiochus I Soter.

Q: Who ruled the Seleucid Empire from 261–246 BCE?
A: Antiochus II.

Q: Which Seleucid ruler reigned from 246–226 BCE?
A: Seleucus II.

Q: Who ruled from 226–223 BCE in the Seleucid dynasty?
A: Seleucus III.

Q: Which major Seleucid king ruled from 222–187 BCE?
A: Antiochus III.

Q: Who ruled the Seleucid Empire from 187–175 BCE?
A: Seleucus IV.

Q: Which Seleucid ruler is associated with the Maccabean Revolt?
A: Antiochus IV (175–164 BCE).

Antigonid Dynasty

Q: Which Antigonid king ruled from roughly 277/272–239 BCE?
A: Antigonus Gonatus.

Q: Who ruled Macedonia from 239–229 BCE?
A: Demetrius II.

Q: Which Antigonid king ruled from 229–221 BCE?
A: Antigonus Doson.

Q: Which Macedonian ruler fought Rome during the Macedonian Wars?
A: Philip V (221–179 BCE).

Q: Who was the last Antigonid king?
A: Perseus (179–168 BCE).

Ptolemaic Dynasty

Q: Who founded the Ptolemaic dynasty?
A: Ptolemy I Soter (306–282 BCE).

Q: Which Ptolemy was called Philadelphus?
A: Ptolemy II (282–246 BCE).

Q: Who ruled Egypt from 246–222 BCE?
A: Ptolemy III Euergetes.

Q: Which Ptolemy ruled during the Battle of Raphia?
A: Ptolemy IV Philopator.

Q: Who ruled Egypt from 204–180 BCE?
A: Ptolemy V.

Part II — Important People Flashcards

Q: Which king fought Rome in the Pyrrhic Wars?
A: Pyrrhus of Epirus.

Q: Which famous historian was a friend of Scipio Aemilianus?
A: Polybius.

Q: Which Hellenistic poet wrote pastoral poetry?
A: Theocritus.

Q: Which Carthaginian general invaded Italy during the Second Punic War?
A: Hannibal.

Part III — Geography Flashcards

Q: Which island city was famous for trade and the Colossus?
A: Rhodes.

Q: What narrow strait connects the Aegean and Black Seas?
A: Hellespont.

Q: What was the capital city of Ptolemaic Egypt?
A: Alexandria.

Part IV — Concepts & Vocabulary Flashcards

Q: What was the Seleucid Era?
A: A dating system beginning in 312 BCE.

Q: What is euergetism?
A: Wealthy benefaction to cities or communities.

Q: What is a polis?
A: A Greek city-state.

Q: What is a diadem?
A: A royal headband symbolizing kingship.

Part V — Wars & Battles Flashcards

Q: When were the Pyrrhic Wars fought?
A: 280–275 BCE.

Q: What major conflict occurred between Seleucids and Ptolemies in 246–241 BCE?
A: The Third Syrian War / Laodicean War.

Q: What battle occurred in 217 BCE during the Fourth Syrian War?
A: Battle of Raphia.

Q: Which treaty ended the Romano-Syrian War?
A: Treaty of Apamea (188 BCE).

Part VI — Military Terms Flashcards

Q: What was the phalanx?
A: A dense infantry formation using long spears.

Q: What were cataphracts?
A: Heavily armored cavalry units.

Q: What were Roman legions?
A: Flexible Roman military formations organized into maniples/cohorts.