CLASSICS 1M03 Lecture 6: Week 6b_ Hellenistic
Document Summary
Macedonian/persian empire unified through person of alexander. Philip ii"s illegitimate, mentally handicapped son arrhidaeus becomes philip iii. Generals vie for pre-eminence as successors (diadochi) Ptolemies rule as macedonian kings/egyptian pharaohs until 30 bc (cleopatra) Antigonids rule macedonia until defeat by rome (168 bc. Alliance with ptolemy i secures persian hinterland (syria to bactria) Philip arrhidaeus, alexander iv, roxanne, olympias liquidated by 317. Not much changes: powers are too evenly matched. All have strengths but weaknesses that limit expansion. Ptolemies: wealth, easy defenses; reliance on timber for navy. All successor states have one common need: manpower. Ptolemies and seleucids engage in huge recruitment drives of greeks. Settlement of new, greek cities throughout ne. But also fostered cultural exchange b/w greeks and native populations. Huge cities like pergamum, antioch, seleucia, alexandria become culturally rich cosmopolis. Multiethnic city: macedonians, greeks, syrians, jews, egyptians. Robust and extensive taxation and administrative system.