History 107 Lecture 18

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History 107Lecture 18

• The Expansion of Greece Hellenistic Art and
  Culture

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The Hellenistic World
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Hellenistic Civilization

• Review Three empires emerged from what Alexander
  the Great (d. 323) had created Ptolemaic Egypt,
  Seleucid Asia, and Greek Macedonia
• These three empires we call Hellenistic because
  they spread Greek influence broadly until the
  time of Christ.
• Hellenistic Civilization means Greek like not
  pure Greek. Essentially a combination of Greek
  and Persian cultures
• A key feature of Hellenistic culture was trade,
  opened up by Greek leaders the new empires and
  their interest in commerce.
• New cities ring Mediterranean and become cultural
  and population centers (Alexandria, Antioch,
  etc.)
• Demographic and commercial movement much freer
  than beforeless animosity between regions
• Greek language spreads throughout ancient world
• Hellenistic science was the most advanced in the
  western world until the 17th century

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Hellenistic Architecture

• Architecture became grander, fitting the despotic
  style of Persia and Egypt
• Standard feature the Corinthian column more
  ornate than Doric and Iconic columns
• Examples Lighthouse of Alexandria and Pergamon
  Altar to Zeus (Asia Minor now Berlin)

Corinthian column, 3rd century B.C., Temple of
Apollo (Turkey)
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Hellenistic Art Sculpture

• Sculpture became more dramatic, sensual, and
  flamboyant, replacing earlier modest style
• Awkward human postures considered to offer the
  greatest challenges
• Statues show realism and pathos, unlike earlier
  idealized statues
• Look for extravagant facial furrows, muscular
  distensions, complex drapery, and emotion

Body of Zeus, Pergamon Altar (Asia Minor, now
Berlin)
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Hellenistic Art Furrowed brows!
Emotional Gorgon sculpture, 180 B.C.
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Hellenistic Art Intense emotionalism
Laocoon, 1st century B.C. (Laocoon sons are
being killed by serpents sent to kill them by
Poseidon for warning the Trojans not to touch the
wooden horse)
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Hellenistic Art Pathos, Suffering, and Dignity
Dying Gaul , 220 B.C. (Pergamon, Asia Minor)
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Hellenistic Philosophy Epicureanism

• New trends Epicureanism and Stoicism.
• Both philosophies offer advice for dealing with
  human problems through reason life can be made
  more bearable and meaningful
• The spread of these philosophies can be seen as
  the further success of Greek cultural ideas.
• Epicurus (341-270 B.C.) and Epicureanism. Key
  points in Principal Doctrines
• Focus on your own lifetake control by pursuing
  pleasure and peace of mind
• Reject Platonic idea of spiritual realm. No
  ultimate good do what makes you happy
• Avoid public service and escape party while the
  world goes about its crazy business

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Hellenistic Philosophy Stoicism

• Stoicism (c. 300 B.C.), founded by Zeno, an
  Athenian
• Ideas from Stoic Manual of Epictetus (60 A.D.)
• The goal of life is focusing on your own
  mindsettle the mind so that you can cope with
  uncertainty and pain
• The cosmos is an ordered whole in which all
  contradictions are resolved for virtue and
  ultimate good
• Fate controls the worldwe are not masters of our
  destiny, but we must learn to deal with what we
  have been given
• Submit to the order of the universe to receive
  tranquility of mind. Dont whine or act bitter
• Do not withdraw as the Epicureans, but perform
  your civic duty. But be a pacifist, egalitarian,
  and humanitarian
• Can you see the roots of our modern understanding
  of stoic in these writings?