The Hellenistic Era

Ms. Lee & Mr. Anders

“Hellenistic” means to imitate

the Greeks

The Hellenistic Era was a period of considerable cultural accomplishments in many areas.

Gold-glass.. Used to carry perfumes & oils in the Hellenistic Era.

Background Information

• Upon Alexander’s death, his generals struggled for power– 4 distinct kingdoms emerge

• Alexander had encouraged a marriage of East & West– But Hellenistic kings saved positions of power for Greeks & Macedonians

Ptolemy I Soter, founder of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Hellenistic Egypt. One of Alexander’s most trusted generals.

Background Information

Hellenistic kings encouraged new cities

and military settlements to be built, which further

expanded Greek influence & culture.

Hellenistic Kingdoms

Hellenistic Culture

• Architecture & Sculpture– The founding of new cities

presented new opportunities for architects & sculptors

– Hellenistic kings were very willing to spend handsome sums of money in beautifying their new cities.

The winged victory of Samothrace. Hellenistic Era Sculpture.

Hellenistic Culture

• Literature– Writing was held in high

esteem– Appolonnius of Rhodes-

Epic Poems (Argonautica)– Theocritus- short poems

• Athens remained the center for theatre

Jason & the Golden Fleece

Hellenistic Culture

• Considerable Scientific Advancement– Aristarchus- Heliocentric

Universe– Eratosthenes- Determined

the earth was round. Also, he calculated the Earth’s circumference to be 24,675 miles… only 185 miles off of the actual figure!

Eratosthenes

Archimedes – Eureka!!

Archimedes discovered specific gravity by observing the water he displaced in his bath.

He then jumped out of his bath, shouted “Eureka!” (I have found it), and ran home naked!

#classy

Hellenistic Culture

• Philosophy– Epicurus- Epicureanism– Human beings must

follow self-interest to achieve true happiness! Happiness was the pursuit of pleasure.

– Pleasure was freedom from emotional turmoil and worry. Epicurus-

Founder of Epicureanism

Hellenistic Culture

• Philosophy– Zeno- Stoicism– Happiness can only be

found by finding inner peace and living in harmony with the will of God!

– Be a good citizen!

Zeno, founder of Stoicism.

Hellenistic Culture

Architecture and Sculpture

Literature

Science Philosophy

Hellenistic Culture

*Chapter 5 Section 5-List achievements and people in each area.