Classwork #4

Explain significance of:
Philip II- king Philip of Macedonia wanted to control Greece and then move on to Persia to avenge the Persian invasion in 480 BC.
Macedonia- Place located North of Greece that has rough terrain and a cold climate.
Alexander the Great- Son of Philip II who earned his nickname for his actions the 13 years following his father's death.
Darius III- Persian king whom Alexander defeated mercilessly, completely ending Persia's power.

How was Philip II able to conquer Greece? He used the phalanx formation (16 men across with 16 men deep, all armed with 18 feet long pikes) and then used the fast moving cavalry to crush disorganized opponents. Took Greeks' independence away at the battle of Chaeronea.

Philip II's goal was to conquer Persia. Why did Alexander continue his campaign of conquest after this goal had been achieved? He was more interested in expanding his empire rather than governing it.

What happened to Alexander's empire after his death? His Macedonian generals fought amongst themselves for control of his empire. Three ambitious leaders--Antigonus, Ptolemy, and Seleucus--eventually won out. Antigonus took Macedonia and other city-states. Ptolemy took over Egypt and was declared pharaoh of Egypt. He later established a dynasty. Seleucus took over most of the Persian empire (which was later called the Seleucid kingdom).



Explain the significance of:
Hellenistic- Blending of the Greek, Egyptian, Persian, and Indian cultures.
Euclid- Highly regarded mathematician who taught in Alexandria. His best-known book is Elements, that contains 465 geometric propositions and proofs.
Archimedes- Scientist who accurately estimated value of pi.
Colossus of Rhodes- Largest Hellenistic statue which stands a hundred feet tall and was one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World. It was toppled by an earthquake around 225 BC. Its bronze covering was sold for scrap. (The Nike of Samothrace statue was also found on Rhodes.)

How did trade contribute to cultural diversity in the Hellenistic city of Alexandria? Trade ships from all around the Mediterranean were docked in the spacious harbor. By the third century BC, Alexandria had become an international community.

How did Euclid influence some of the developments in astronomy during the Hellenistic period? His teachings in geometry were what led astronomers Aristarchus and Eratosthenes to study planets and stars with geometry, therefore understanding the world better.

What did Stoicism and Epicureanism have in common? Both stressed the importance of living a virtuous life in harmony.