06 Macedon and the Hellenistic Mediterranean Free Online FlashCards

Where was Macedon, and what resources strengthened it?

Macedon was a hereditary kingdom north of the Greek city-states, with abundant timber, minerals, and agricultural land.

What made Philip II’s army effective in coordinated battles?

Philip II combined a long-spear infantry phalanx with cavalry and other troops, enabling coordinated battles.

What did Philip II establish after the victory at Chaeronea?

After defeating Athens and Thebes at Chaeronea in 338 BCE, Philip organized many Greek states into the League of Corinth and led it.

Which three major victories weakened Persian control under Alexander?

Alexander’s victories at the Granicus River in 334 BCE, Issus in 333 BCE, and Gaugamela in 331 BCE broke Persian control of much of its empire.

Why did Alexander’s army stop advancing east after the Hydaspes?

After fighting at the Hydaspes River in 326 BCE, Alexander’s exhausted troops refused to continue east, so the army began its return.

How did Alexander help govern his vast conquered territory?

He retained parts of the Persian administrative system, established garrisons and cities, and relied on local elites to govern his vast territory.

Which regions were ruled by the Ptolemies, Seleucids, and Antigonids?

The Ptolemies ruled Egypt, the Seleucids governed a shifting realm centered on Syria and western Asia, and the Antigonids ruled Macedon and influenced Greece.

How did Greek cities and leagues function under Hellenistic kings?

Greek cities often kept councils, assemblies, and civic institutions, but their freedom depended on the power of nearby kings. Achaean and Aetolian leagues joined communities for mutual defense and influence.

How did the Ptolemies combine Greek kingship with Egyptian rule?

Ptolemaic rulers governed as Greek-style kings while presenting themselves as pharaohs and supporting Egyptian temples and priesthoods.

What was koine, and what did its spread not eliminate?

Koine, a widely used form of Greek, supported government, trade, and education across many eastern cities, while many communities continued using local languages.

How did coinage relate to the foundations of Hellenistic economic life?

Coinage facilitated payments and exchange, but economic life remained rooted in farming and local markets.

What does the cult of Serapis illustrate about Hellenistic religion?

The cult of Serapis brought together elements associated with Egyptian and Greek traditions, illustrating religious blending that varied by place and community.