323
- 27 BC - Greek Hellenistic
Period |
| |
Following the death of Alexander the Great,
his kingdom was split into three by his generals. The Antigonid
dynasty maintained control of mainland Greece. The Seleucids
governed the entire eastern empire, the largest portion of
the territory, while the Ptolemies ruled the land of ancient
Egypt.
The Hellenistic period was an international, cosmopolitan age. Commercial contacts
were widespread and peoples of many ethnic and religious backgrounds merged in
populous urban centers. Advances were made in various fields of scientific inquiry,
including engineering, physics, astronomy and mathematics. Great libraries were
founded in Alexandria, Athens and the independent kingdom of Pergamum. The old
beliefs in Olympian gods were infused with foreign elements, especially from
the east; "Oriental" ecstatic cults, such as those of Cybele, Isis, and Mithras,
become popular in the Hellenized world.
The 3rd century BC saw the rise of ancient Rome. After securing most of the Italic
peninsula, Rome entered into a protracted conflict with the Carthaginians for
control of Sicily, Spain and the other regions of Punic domination in the Punic
Wars. The former empire of Alexander was taken steadily and methodically into
Roman hands. The great city of Corinth was destroyed (146 BC), Athens captured
(86 BC), and Cleopatra and Mark Antony defeated at the Battle of Actium (31 BC).
Their defeat marks the end of the Hellenistic Age. |
323-280 BC |
Wars for control of Alexander's
Empire |
322 BC |
Aristotle dies |
| |
Infighting and/or weak rulers cause instability and divided
factions
- These factions or dynasties "Hellenized" (made
Greek-like) the areas they controlled
The Ptolemies ruled Egypt
Antigonus the One-Eyed and his son Demetrius the Taker
of Cities, among others, fight for control of the empire |
301 BC |
Antigonus is killed at the battle of Ipsus
His grandson, Antigonus Gonatas, founds the Antigonid
dynasty in Macedonia |
274 BC |
The Seleucid dynasty in Asia Minor through Syria and
Mesopotamia to Iran is deposed by the Parthians
- The Parthians, as well of the Romans, consume much
of the Near Eastern portion of Alexander's empire
|
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Hellenistic Civilization |
355-263 BC |
Zeno of Cypriote Citium, a Cynic, founds the philosophy
of Stoicism |
342-271 BC |
Epicurus of Athens founds the philosophy of Epicureanism |
295-? BC |
Apollonius Rhodius serves as a librarian of the Great
Library in Alexandria, Egypt
- Writes Argonautica, about Jason and his quest
for the Golden Fleece
|
287-212 BC |
Archemedes of Syracuse develops geometry and hydrostatics,
as well as calculating pi |
217-145 BC |
Aristarchus edits Homer's Iliad and serves as
a librarian of the Great Library |
200 BC |
Inflation and pressure from foreign enemies thwarted
the growth of the Hellenistic world |
146 BC |
Greece falls to Rome |
27 BC |
Suicide of Ptolemaic ruler Cleopatra of Egypt (the last
major Hellenistic ruler) signifies the end of the Hellenistic
Period |
