Classical Studies 2902B

The Legacy of Alexander

[We shall begin by finishing our discussion from last time: some people wish to say more about Barsine (so come prepared to talk), and I shall then briefly go over some of the main points, raised already in earlier classes, about the Deification Question. CLM]

On our Lecture Schedule this session is entitled “Successors and the Hellenistic Age”. Our class will focus on the incredible consequences of A.’s rampage across Asia in the period 334 to 323; probably none of this was actually intended by A., but his early death led to a radical re-shaping of anything that he himself might have intended. There are many topics to be addressed and in each case, the account will be fairly brief (this is intended to be a “Hellenistic” sampler.)

Politics: a very brief summary of the exceedingly complex political history of this period will be provided—down to the time, about 40 years after A.’s death, when things finally stabilized somewhat (it should be remembered that warfare was the main event in the history of the successor states to A.’s empire). A very brief description of the Antigonid, Seleucid and Ptolemaic kingdoms will be given.

Topics:

Alexandria and its importance: the Museum and the Library

Science (and Medicine).

Philosophy.

Religion.

Literature.