WHI.5 GreeceAlexander the Great

After the Peloponnesian War, Greek defenses were weakened. This allowed Macedonia, under Philip II, to conquer most of Greece.

Macedonia is north of Greece

Phillip’s son, Alexander, established an empire from Greece to Egypt and all the way to the edges of India.

Alex defeated and conquered the Persian Empire, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and stopped at the Indus River Valley.

Alexander admired and adopted Greek culture.

Spread Hellenistic influences (art, architecture, language, government, culture, etc.) throughout his vast empire.

Hellenistic culture- mix of Greek and Asian (Persian) cultures.

Hellenistic culture spread through trade.

Greek became the official language of the empire

(Hellenic- Greek culture ONLY)

Alexander’s Empire Divided Alex died at age 32 Empire divided among his generals

Why was Alex so “great”? Empire spread across 3 continents (Europe, Asia, Africa) Spread Hellenistic culture Created largest empire of the time All before age 32!