The Spread of Hellenistic Culture

Chapter 5 section 5

Key Terms

• Hellenistic• Alexandria• Euclid• Archimedes• Colossus of Rhodes

Hellenistic Culture in Alexandria

• Hellenistic- blending of cultures from Greece, Egyptian, Persian and Indian Influences

• Koine- means common was a dialect of Greek

• Used to communicate in cities throughout the Hellenistic world

Trade and Cultural Diversity• Alexandria (Egypt) center

of commerce• Strategic edge of Nile Delta• Trade ships from all over

the Mediterranean docked there

• Third century B.C became an international community and a population of one million

Alexandria’s Attractions

• Broad avenues with statues of Greek gods

• Royal palaces• Alexander’s glass coffin• 350 feet above then

harbor was a lighthouse• Famous museum and

library– First true research

library

Astronomy

• Small observatory• Aristarchus

– Estimated sun 300 times larger than earth

– Disproved that the sun was smaller than Greece

• Ptolemy placed earth in the center of the solar system– This view accepted for the

next 14 centuries

Astronomy

• Eratosthenes– Correctly computer

earth’s circumference– 28,000-29,000 mile– Actual today 24,860

• Also a poet and historian

Mathematics and Physics

• Euclid-compile a geometry text

• Book Elements contained 465 geometry propositions and proofs

• Still the basis for geometry

Mathematics and Physics

• Archimedes– Estimated the value of

pi– Explained the law of the

lever– Archimedes screw-

raised water from the ground

– Compound pulley to lift heavy objects

Stoicism and Epicureanism

• Zeno founded Stoicism– People should lead

virtuous lives• in harmony with natural

laws• and the will of the gods

– Desire for wealth and power were dangerous

– Social unity– Focus on what they can

control

Stoicism and Epicureanism• Epicurus- founded

Epicureanism• Gods ruled the universe• Only real objects were

those the five senses perceived

• Greatest good and pleasure came from virtuous conduct and absence of pain

• Moderation in all things

Realism in Sculpture• Rulers , wealthy

merchants and cities purchased sculptures

• Portray people in everyday situations

• Colossus of Rhodes-bronze statue 100 feet high

• Nike (winged warrior) 203 BC made for naval victory

Realism in Sculpture

• Hellenistic moved to more natural works

• Carved ordinary people like a wrinkly old peasant woman

• 150 BC Hellenistic world in decline