Review Week 6, 4.1 Online F16

Review:

Image: Mosaic of Alexander the Great  

The Macedonian kings Philip and Alexander conquered Greece, then Egypt and the Persian Empire in Asia, creating a unique blend of these ancient civilizations. By establishing a ruling elite of Greeks and Macedonians in cities from the Mediterranean to India, Alexander and his successors spread key elements of Greek civilization. Yet they also reshaped the culture of the polis, which had been the hallmark of Greek glory. Cosmopolitan areas in which peoples from all over the Hellenistic world mingled replaced the Greek city-states as the centers of political, cultural, and economic life. Within these new urban centers, some people benefited greatly from the new opportunities for personal enrichment but many more sank to unprecedented levels of poverty. Some peoples embraced the cultural blending; others rejected it. Despite the costs of constant warfare as kings competed for land and power, Hellenistic rulers patronized the arts and learning, which furthered the spread of Greek culture. Scientists, artisans, and scholars of this complex age also made impressive advances. Yet this civilization would also pass from glory as a new force gathered momentum in the West. .

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Resources:

Make sure you have watched the videos, and explored the interactive maps found in the Maps page.

Looking Ahead:

Next week we will be looking at the rise of the Roman Republic. You will also be taking your first exam!