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1、Hellenistic Civilization(323-146 BCE),(323 BCE = Death of Alexander) (146 BCE = Conquest by the Romans),Alexander the Great,Hellenistic Civilization,Hellenistic because of, on the one hand, the predominant role of Greece and, on the other hand, not completely Greek, being more multiethnic, multiraci
2、al, and multicultural.,Hellenistic Civilization:General Principles,The fragmentation of Alexanders empire into three kingdoms: Kingdom of Macedonia, Kingdom of the Ptolemies (Egypt), and Kingdom of the Seleucids (Syria). In some ways, a continuation of basic Hellenic philosophies and aesthetics, but
3、 with significant new features.,Hellenistic Civilization:General Principles,The flourishing of large metropolitan centers: Alexandria and Pergamum Diverse ethnic groups (Greeks, Macedonians, Egyptians, Hebrews, Persians, Africans) linked by trade. A form of colloquial Greek called Koine was spoken t
4、hroughout the Hellenistic world. Hellenistic rulers had no interest in democracy.,Pergamum,Alexandria,The best example of a large Hellenistic metropolis. Population of about 1,000,000 Cultural diversity A center of learning and culture, featuring a theatre, library, museum, lighthouse, etc. The worl
5、ds first university (a museum dedicated to the Muses) was built in Alexandria. The library contained 700,000 volumes of books.,Library of Alexandria,Exercise # 1,Find some information online about the cities of Alexandria and Pergamum during the Hellenistic Age.,Hellenistic literature,The seriousnes
6、s of Hellenism began to give way to a Hellenistic love of playfulness as well as an interest in the ordinary, everyday subjects. “New Comedy” In contrast to the pointed, satiricial comedies of Hellenic Greece, the return to monarchy seems to have made playwrights more conservative in their willingne
7、ss to criticize. Menander, the leading figure of the New Comedy,Hellenistic literature,Pastoral poetry City life and its hassles seems to bring with it a kind of nostalgianstld for country life. At the same time, the poetry was a fantasy of country life, written by and for the upper class. Theocritu
8、s忒奥克里托斯 created the new poetic forms of pastoral poetry as well as idyll.,Hellenistic Philosophy,Cynicismsn,szm Skepticism Epicureanism Stoicism,Hellenistic Philosophy: Cynicism,True freedom arises from realizing that if one wants nothing, then one will never lack anything. Isolation from the societ
9、y Denial of physical comfort Autarky, or self-sufficiency, as the goal of life Diogenes, the most prominent Cynic Alexander: if I were not Alexander, I would prefer to be Diogenes.,Diogenes of Sinope,Diogenes and Alexander,Diogenes of Sinope,Diogenes of Sinope,Banished from his country, Diogenes spe
10、nt most of his life in Athens, though he died in Corinth. He called himself the “Dog,” and held up the life of animals as a model for mankind. His task was the “recoining of values,” and to the civilization of Hellenic and Hellenistic world he opposed the life of animals and of the barbaric people.,
11、Hellenistic Philosophy: Skepticism,Nothing could be known for certain All ideas and values must be questioned. Truth is unknowable Autarky as the goal of life. Pyrrho of Elis was the founder of Skepticism.,Hellenistic Philosophy: Epicureanism,How to achieve happiness: The best way to keep ones wants
12、 simple, and thus to achieve happiness, was to abstain from sex and focus instead on friendship. Also not to indulge in excessive desires Resist fame, power and wealth Freedom from fear: fear of the gods, of death, and of the hereafter. Pleasure is the absence of pain Ataraxia, trksi the desireless
13、state, the goal of life Epicurus was the founder of Epicureanism,Epicurus,Hellenistic Philosophy: Stoicism,The world is governed by the divine logos, or reason, or nature. Freedom and happiness consist of living in harmony with logos A resigned and deterministic outlook, but never apathetic. Emphasi
14、s on dedication to work and duty Worldwide brotherhood Autarky (self-sufficiency) as the goal of life,Hellenistic Religion: Mystery Cults,The mystery cult of Orpheus The mystery cult of Dionysus The mystery cult of Isis (and her brother/husband Osiris). Isis was the most honored goddess of the ancie
15、nt world. The mystery cult of Mithraism,Mithra Touroctonous,Mithra,Anahita, Mithras mother,Isis,Isis,Orpheus,ORPHEUS was the son of Apollo and the Muse Calliope. He was presented by his father with a lyre and taught to play upon it, which he did to such perfection that nothing could withstand the ch
16、arm of his music. Not only his fellow-mortals, but wild beasts were softened by his music,Exercise # 2,Find information about the mystery cults of the Hellenistic age.,Hellenistic Architecture,The Corinthian column Taller, more slender and more ornamented than either the Doric or Ionic columns.,Hellenistic visual arts,Dramatic advances in sculpture Continuation of some Hellenic ideals and subjects (e.g., portraits of gods and goddesses). New interests related to extremes of emotion: violence, er
