Alexander the Great and Hellenization in the 4th Century BCE

Alexander the Great was the son of Philip II of Macedon and the man who started the #hellenistic era during the 4th century BCE. After inheriting the Macedonian Empire when Philip II died, Alexander the Great extended it into the largest empire his world had seen. #Alexander the #Great fought many battles, but one of the most significant one was the #Battle of #Issus. The Battle of #Issus saw Alexander the Great and his soldiers fight Darius III and the Achaemenid Persian Empire.

#Hellenization was the process of disseminating Greek culture and language throughout the areas Alexander had conquered, and this process continued after his death, led by his generals Ptolemy and Seleucus. The 4th c. BCE also saw the rise of Greek philosophy with the lives of Plato and Aristotle, who was Alexander's tutor.

TIMESTAMPS:
2:28 Battle of Issus
5:46 Hellenization
6:19 Western Philosophy

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[WorldHistoryEncyclopedia]

What impresses you the most about Alexander's achievements and his legacy? Do we see similar trends to Hellenization today? Let us know in the comments!

[sirmorrismurithi]

Wow!!Great work from history. I'm a great lover of history and I'm gradually falling in love with your materials. Congratulations!!!

[RealBonnieBlue]

Persians had already disrupted “indigenous” cultures when they subjugated them. Alexander’s Greeks liberated the Ionian Greeks and thus all the other people also under the Persian yoke. The Egyptians were so grateful that they gave Egypt to Alexander without conquest and pronounced him pharaoh.

[craigminchin]

That was an incredible summary of hellenization! Thanks for sharing.

[alicewelsh]

Very good exposé! I would like to see a video on Ancient Greek pottery and the many depictions of Greek history, myths and lifestyles depicted thereon.

[HistoriaenCeluloide]

I hope in the future you talk about the greco-bactrian and greco-indian kingdoms

[siddharthabanerjee]

Alexander was one of the first persons in History who showed the world the power of uniting when in most parts of the worlds, people lived in a tribal way even if they were of the same culture. Alexander demonstrated with his conquests that when people unite, they strengthen, even if they have cultural differences. He Hellenized Asia but didn't destroy any culture either. For example, in North India, Pakistan and Afghanistan (Indian Areas where Alexander had managed to put some Greek cultural influence), you will find Indian culture mixed with Greek Culture. For example, you will be able to see a lot of sculptures of Gautama Buddha but designed in a Western way. So, Alexander's conquests are a fine example of the strength of Unity. However, it would have been better if he had not enslaved people.

[connappliedscience]

Brilliant. Most definitely the Greatest Greek of all time. Well done.

[ΦΟΙΒΟΣΑΠΟΛΛΩΝ-ψυ]

Who told you that Alexander the Great stoped by elephants at India? Hollywood?hahaha!Alexander fight at India and he was victorius vs King Poros at 326bC!There were other reasons that he stops at India..surtently not some elephant's...hahaha

[RealBonnieBlue]

The Hellenic culture is the foundation of western civilization and the basis of the liberties and freedom people of the west enjoy today. Because of Alexander's defeat of the Persians, the Eastern Mediterranean, Central Asia, and even parts of the Indian subcontinent, experienced prosperity, and progress. When the Hellenes left, all development ceased.

[libechacos]

Nice to see some Australian content, well done 👍. What I have never understood is how Alexander spread helenisation. Being a king wasn't considered Hellenic, nor marrying to assist with allies, nor respecting Persian or other cultures the way that he did. I'd love to hear more specific details. Go well 👍

[RealBonnieBlue]

Alexander was undefeated. He stopped because his men did not want to go further. He never met Chandragupta. He never fought him. Chandragupta created his empire after Alexander’s death.

[markdubois]

Alexander was relentless leaving his homeland and never returning constantly campaigning and wining always showing almost reckless bravery he was definently a visionary accomplishing this all by the age of 32 his miltary exploits are mind blowing and Amazing all great generals always like Alexander! why because he excelled at war leadership in a way very few men in history Ever have.

[JohnSWren]

Aristotle taught Alexander from the age of 13 to 16, when Phillip, who had also taught Alexander, was murdered, Alexander, not yet out of his teens, seems to have been well prepared. What did they teach him? Did he continue to study on his own? Is there a teen ager today, will there ever be one, who could duplicate this? If so, would the essence of what Alexander was taught still be what was needed to prepare him or her? What do you think?

[WildMen]

Hail to the Divine Alexander the Great!

[ahmetmurselw]

We certainly see that same context in the ability of technology as it’s literally dominating the world, at the cost of local cultures.

[johnirby]

You had me until "Alexander was stopped by Chandragupta and his war elephants." What?! What evidence do you have of this?

[singingnymph]

I don't believe might makes right The biggest positive is that cross cultural influence between Indian & Greek philosophies seems to have advanced the spread of Buddhism.

[TurtleShroom]

NASA put "1969 AD" on its plaque that was placed when Americans landed on the moon.If it's good enough for the moon, it should be good enough for Youtube.

[tiyimedu]

Of course we still see this concept today. We are literally living in hell.