blog post # 1

Amber Wyatt
http://amberwyatt.blogspot.com

His 101-04

September 7,2011

 Alexander's empire, knot of civilizations

        Alexander the Great was one of history’s most notable military commanders. Alexander campaigned

consistently for twelve years, which ignited the Hellenistic Age and the establishment of Greek settlement and

rule over many foreign territories and cultures. He died in 323 BC, leaving a powerful legacy behind

him ("Alexander the Great Alexander of Macedon Biography", 2003 ).

        The reign of Alexander III marked the beginning of a new stage in world history known as the Hellenistic

 Age. The Hellenistic Age is the period of conquest of the Persian Empire by Alexander the Great("Alexander

the Great Alexander of Macedon Biography", 2003 ). At the young age of 33, Alexander died leaving his

successors to divide his empire. The successors divided Alexander's vast empire into three main Macedonian

kingdoms: Egypt under the Ptolimis; Asia ruled by the Seleucids; and Macedonia under the Antigonus

dynasty ("The Hellenistic Age", n.d.). Along with the lands these kingdoms ruled, came rivalries inherited by

their descendants.

           The Hellenistic Age, was a time in which literature, philosophy, warfare, and religion flourished, all of

which were influenced by the Greek culture. During this time, it was common for religion to combine both

Greek gods and Eastern deities in their practices("The Hellenistic Age," n.d.). Greek culture had become

deeply ingrained into many aspects of these kingdoms, especially in the Byzantine Empire and the Islamic

kingdoms ("The Hellenistic Age," n.d. ). Even those these Hellenistic kingdoms coexisted, warfare and

competition remained between the monarchies.

            As the Hellenistic monarchies declined in the second and first century BC, the Romans gradually

extended their control over Greece and the Middle East.  In 30 BC, the Romans ended the Ptolemaic

kingdom which was the last to fall ("The Hellenistic Age," n.d.  ). The Romans not only obtained the empire

 once owned by Alexander, but also, they obtained the Hellenistic culture of these monarchies.  Alexander‘s

accomplishments were not only limited to the aspects of warfare, but also how he promoted Greek influence

throughout his vast empire. In conclusion, this greatly influenced the return to the West during the Roman

Empire.

Work Cited

"Alexander the Great Alexander of Macedon Biography." History of Macedonia. 2003.
            Web. 7 Sep 2011.
          <http://www.historyofmacedonia.org/AncientMacedonia/AlexandertheGreat.html>.

"The Hellenistic Age."  Web. 7 Sep 2011.
           <http://veronica2305.tripod.com/Hellenistic%20Age.htm>.