The Hellenistic Period

1. Ch. 12 The Hellenistic
Period
335 B.C. – 145 B.C
Lesson 1 Philip II of Macedonia

2. The Hellenistic Age
• After the decline of Greek city-states and their
independence, new foreign rulers of Greece built empires
and increased trade. The spread of Greek culture took place.
Greek customs, culture, and ideas were influencing people
from Gibraltar to India.
• The period in which this took place is known as the
Hellenistic Age. The term “Hellenistic” means “like the
Hellenes, or the Greeks.”

3. Philip II of Macdeonia
• By 338 B.C. Greece had a
new ruler: Philip II of
Macedonia
– The Macedonians (war like
people) lived in mountains of
northern Greece.
– King was Philip II
• Philip admired the Greek
culture and set out to
unify all of the now weak
Greek city-states by force
• He conquered all of
Greek city-states except
for Sparta
• To conquer: He turned
Macedonian part-time army
into a year-round,
professional army

4. Philip II of Macdeonia
• He developed an infantry
formation called a phalanx
• At the time, this was
unbeatable
– Brilliant military accomplishment
• Armed soldiers w 14 feet
spears
• Then Philip II planned to invade
and conquer the Persian Empire
(largest in the world)
• Just before Philip II was ready
to attack the Persians in 336
B.C. he was murdered.
• His son Alexander (the Great)
took over the throne

5. Ch. 12 The Hellenistic
Period
335 B.C. – 145 B.C
Lesson 2 Alexander the Great

6. Alexander the Great
• Philip II succeed by his son
Alexander age 20
• Commander of Macedonian
army at age 16
• Very well educated, taught by
Aristotle
• He included philosophers & scientists in
his army who sent Aristotle samples of
plant/animal species
• from their newly
• conquered lands
• Alexander became great
general who feared
NOTHING.
• Army crushed the Persian
Empire & marched as far as
northern India

7. Alexander’s Empire
• Dreamed to create a
worldwide state
• Goal: unite the
Macedonians, Greeks, and
the Persians
– Took Persian soldiers into
army, married Persian women,
adopted some Persian
customs
• Claimed he was a God to
Persians
• Macedonians & Greeks
refused
– Greeks looked down on
Persians – called them
barbaroi – or barbarians
• Founded 70 cities, 16 named
Alexandria
– Died at age 33 of a fever, malaria.
– Without his leadership, his empire
soon fell apart.
• Considered by many as the
greatest general/warrior of all
time.
• Developed siege weapons such
as the catapult.
• One of Alexander’s greatest
achievements was to spread
Greek culture throughout his
empire
– & to also bring knowledge from the
empire back to Greece.

8. Review Questions
• How did Alexander the Great assume the
Macedonian throne?
• Name three modern day countries/regions
conquered by Alexander?
• What does the term Hellenistic mean?
• What caused the fall of Hellenistic society?
• Imagine you are a Babylonian living during the
time of Alexander. How might you view
Alexander’s conquests? Would you consider him
“great”?