Lesson 5: Alexander and the Hellenistic Era

The Greek city-states finally lost their independence when

• the Greeks were defeated by the Macedonians, under the leadership of Philip II.

• Athens fell in the Peloponnesian War and the Spartans tore down the city walls.

• the Persian emperor Xerxes invaded with an army of 180,000 troops and thousands of warships.

• the Spartans gave up their way of life to follow the teachings of Epicurus.

Why did Alexander the Great bring together the Macedonian and Greek armies?

• He wanted the Greeks to teach the Macedonians their military tactics.

• He did not trust the Greek soldiers and wanted to keep an eye on them, so he brought them with him as he traveled.

• He needed more men because he wanted to expand his empire by invading the Persian empire.

• He planned to use the Greek forces as expendable men to send in to especially dangerous battles, so that fewer Macedonian soldiers were killed.

What city did Alexander establish as the capital of Egypt?

• Athens

• Alexandria

• Gaugamela

• Cairo

What brought Alexander's empire-building campaign to an end?

• He defeated the Persians decisively at Gaugamela.

• He was defeated by the Egyptians.

• His soldiers refused to travel any farther.

• Alexander died of thirst while crossing the desert.

Who was the hero that Alexander strove to imitate?

• Odysseus, hero of Homer's Odyssey

• a philosopher-king from Plato's Republic

• the title hero of Oedipus Rex

• Achilles, hero of Homer's Iliad

Why did Alexander's empire fall apart after his death?

• The top Macedonian generals got embroiled in a power struggle, instead of collaborating to preserve Alexander's legacy.

• The Greeks rose up against the Macedonians and regained some of their former power.

• Shortly after his death, the empire was invaded by the Romans.

• None of Alexander's top-ranking men wanted to take on the responsibility of a large empire.

How did Hellenistic sculpture differ from sculpture of the classical era?

• Artists concentrated on depicting scenes of Alexander's life.

• Artists began to try to create more emotional and realistic art.

• Artists spent more of their time seeking the support of wealthy patrons and thus demonstrated less skill in their work.

• During this era, there was little interest in sculpture, so artists turned to other forms.

What theory did Aristarchus develop?

• the theory that the sun revolved around the earth

• the idea that to find happiness one must lead a rigorously pious life

• the theory that the earth revolved around the sun

• the idea that the earth was round

The center for philosophy during the Hellenistic era was

• Rhodes

• Syracuse

• Athens.

• Alexandria

What was the name of the most popular school of thought during the Hellenistic era?

• Stoicism

• Epicureanism

• Platonism

• Sophistry