Hellenistic Kingdom Essay

Submitted By Bkristine2
Words: 1104
Pages: 5
Open Document
-------------------------------------------------
Alexander the Great
Alexandria was founded in 331 BCE by Alexander the great. After his death, his empire crumbled. Because Alexander did not appoint a successor, the leaders of the Macedonian military were struggling for power. Out of this struggle came four Hellenistic kingdoms. Translated, Hellenistic means “to imitate Greeks”. Four Hellenistic kingdoms emerged because of the struggles. They were named: Antigonid kingdom of Macedonia, Seleucid Kingdom, Kingdom of Pergamum, and Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. Alexandria was at the center of the Ptolemaic Kingdom.
The character of these four kingdoms has survived to this day. None of these has been more significant than Alexandria. It became the center of business and culture. Astronomy, medicine, literature, philosophy, and religion were also very important. The development of Hellenistic Alexandria spanned many generations. Theaters, gardens, gymnasiums, mansions and other infrastructure were constructed under the rule of Ptolemy II Philadelphus.
An additional substantial characteristic of Alexandria was its role as a polis. Alexandria had its own citizenship and constitution, yet its self-rule and its city administration were controlled in scope. The population of Alexandria was largely multi-cultural. People came from all around the area. People from Syria, Asia Minor, Libya, Italy and Memphis all traveled to be a part of something important.
Early on, Alexandria was divided into five districts named for the first five letters of the Greek alphabet. Alpha, the royal district, was home to palaces, temples, museums, libraries, and gardens. Beta was the Greek aristocracy district. Gamma belonged to the Greek commoners. Delta was the district for the foreign minorities and Epsilon was left to the native Egyptians.
The lives of women in Alexandria had turned to more than just wives and homemakers for the most part. Greek women who immigrated to Egypt had a lot more liberties than a woman who was born in Egypt. Women of high importance were allowed to handle their own legal, financial, and business affairs. During this time, women were also allowed to become educated. They were poets and artists; they also worked in the medical field. They pursued the field of literature, music, and athletics, as well as politics. The women in this era who took advantage of these opportunities were essentially, the “bra burners” of their day. Although they didn’t neglect their duties as a wife and mother, they started investing in themselves.
Even though there were many social and economically different people living in the Hellenistic world, the Greeks provided a feeling of harmony. There were major accomplishments as far as literature, art, science, and philosophy were concerned. Alexandria was set to be the cultural epicenter with the construction of libraries and museums.
There was a mass amount of literature produced in the Hellenistic Age, most of which has not survived. Literary ability was seen as very important and was funded accordingly. The publication of historical and biographical readings increased as well as theatrical productions. Where there used to be serious, educational shows now stood more light hearted comedies. They no longer looked strictly to teach but also entertain.
Art was also something people craved. There were many opportunities for architects and sculptors to beautify cities, both new and old. The rich paid to have the city adorned with a new style of sculpting. There was less and less of Gods, Goddesses, and the perfect beauty, and more, and more of emotional, realistic art which consisted of things like drunk old women and children playing. The art of the era had influences all the way in India where the created the statue of the Buddha.
Known as the “Golden Age of Science”, the Greeks began to make the distinction between philosophy and science. The Greeks recognized a significant value of
Show More

Related Documents: Hellenistic Kingdom Essay

Alexander The Great: A Brief Biography Of Alexander The Great

Alexander the Great was born in Paella, Macedonia, in July 356 BC . He became the king of Macedonia and conquered most of the known world through vigorous military campaigns. He was undefeated in many battles such as, Granikos, Issos, Gavgamila, Ydaspes, and Sousa. His goal to was unite nations and spread the greek culture in the world during his era . In his early life, Alexander The great was raised by his parents King Philip II of Macedonia and Queen Olympia, the daughter of King Neoptolemus…

Words 614 - Pages 3

Alexander The Great Essay

Urmeena Ashraf 10-30-14 2nd hr. Alexander the Great Thesis The Alexander the great was great because he follow his father’s footstep, military tactics, and conquer a lot of land. Alexander the great was born in the Pella region of Macedonia on July 2o, 356 B.C. He was a filial kid in his childhood. He devoted his time to his father, by going to military campaigns. Alexander was tutored as a child and learned mathematics, reading, writing, and how to play the lyre. He also would have been instructed…

Words 628 - Pages 3

Alexander The Great: What Motivates Alexander The Great Hero?

Every great hero always has a motive behind every decision they make. This was no different from Alexander the Great, who was the king of Macedon. In Robin Lane Fox’s, The Classical World: an Epic History of Greece and Rome, the incredible conquest of Alexander the Great are explained. The driving factors that motivate Alexander included, his brave role models, his personal strength and ego, and his burning desire to conquer the known world. This motivating set of values is the reason for Alexander’s…

Words 318 - Pages 2

Alexander The Great Hero

“Heroes are made by the paths they chose, not the powers they are graced with.” Alexander the Great conquered a lot of places in the world, and he was one of the most successful kings that has ever existed. Alexander protected his people and saved many lives. Although this is very important, it is not about the power and the success of Alexander; it is about the steps that he took that lead Greece to greatness. Without his great ruling and military skills, Greece might not have been the thriving, safe…

Words 1172 - Pages 5

Alexander The Great Tactics

Alexander the great was born on July 20, 356 B.C.; his father King Philip II and mother Queen Olympia. Alexander the great ruled Macedonia after the death of his father from 336 to 323 B.C and at the age of 20 he also conquered most of the western world. One great thing to know about Alexander the great is that during the 15 years of conquering he has never lost any battle. Alexander’s tactics, skills, and strategies that he used during battles and other missions are still studied today in military…

Words 431 - Pages 2

Alexander The Great Legacy

Alexander: The Truly Great Alexander the Great created history by pushing for advances in battle, and in life. He accomplished more than any other man in his time. His accomplishments created a legacy for him that has lasted for centuries. Alexander created many new cities across Europe, Asia, and Africa. According to Smith (2016), Alexander the Great established many new cities, most of which in his name. Cities were created in multiple various locations spreading Greek culture to different parts…

Words 323 - Pages 2

Alexander The Great Essay

The Greatest Military Leader Alexander III of Macedonia, commonly known as Alexander the great, was a Macedonian warrior who invaded many lands and countries in the hopes of expanding his own reign. Although he was known as Alexander the great, he was a ruthless ruler who would kill anyone who student his way for power and control. Even though he was worthless, he is known to be one of the greatest military geniuses of all time. Alexander became legendary as a classical hero in the mold of Achilles…

Words 1115 - Pages 5

Alexander The Great Outline

Gerson Lemus Section 39 November 6, 2015 Alexander the Great Outline I. Introduction – Introduce Alexander the Great and explain what the paper is about. Where he came from (culture). Give a summary of the culture Alexander came from and what it meant to him. II. Young Life - Explain in what way Alexander brought up and talked about his family. If anyone saw what accomplishments were coming from him. Explain how Alexander first accomplished to earn authority in the military…

Words 221 - Pages 1

Alexander The Great Thesis

Alexander the Great ruled for thirteen years. He is known as one of the greatest rulers of our time. Alexander’s military tactics and determination to unite the east and west countries. He never satisfied with his surrounding he had always wanted more. Alexander has a passion for his knowledge and was always willing to go out and find it. He was known never to sit in one place but with passion and energy his impulse was to win and to expand his ideas. Alexander was such a great leader that he worshiped…

Words 230 - Pages 1

Alexander the Great Essay

courage and ability to stand and fight for what they believe in seems almost superhuman. Alexander the Great is one of these individuals. He stood and fought for what he wanted, and he wanted the world. His courage in the face of the odds against him not only won him the throne of Macedonia, but won him the throne of all of the known world. The new king of Macedon was Alexander III to be known as Alexander the great who came on the throne in October 336 BCE, at the age 20 and he would soon destroy the…

Words 1548 - Pages 7