The Greek World After Alexander 323-30 BC (The Routledge History of the Ancient World)

The Greek World After Alexander 323–30 BC examines social changes in the old and new cities of the Greek world and in the new post-Alexandrian kingdoms. An appraisal of the momentous military and political changes after the era of Alexander, this book considers developments in literature, religion, philosophy, and science, and establishes how far they are presented as radical departures from the culture of Classical Greece or were continuous developments from it. Graham Shipley explores the culture of the Hellenistic world in the context of the social divisions between an educated elite and a general population at once more mobile and less involved in the political life of the Greek city. "In this comprehensive and well-documented book, Graham Shipley integrates the diverse aspects of politics, society and culture to create a coherent and thorough survey of the Hellenistic world. The Greek World after Alexander examines social changes in the cities of the Greek world and in the kingdoms that succeeded Alexander's empire. The investigation is set in the context of an up-to-date appraisal of the momentous military and political changes that took place after Alexander's reign. Graham Shipley's ground-breaking study also considers developments in literature, religion, philosophy, and science, establishing whether they departed radically from Classical Greek culture or developed continuously from it. In addition, he explores the divisions in Hellenistic culture separating an educated élite from the general population which was more mobile than before but perhaps less involved in city politics. The Greek World after Alexander offers an indispensable introduction to the Hellenistic world, and provides the reader with extensive translated source material and references for further study. It will be invaluable to students, teachers and researchers alike."--Publisher's description "The Greek World after Alexander examines social changes in the cities of the Greek world and in the kingdoms which succeeded Alexander's empire. The investigation is set in the context of an up-to-date appraisal of the momentous military and political changes that took place after Alexander's reign. Graham Shipley's study also considers developments in literature, religion, philosophy, and science, establishing whether they departed radically from Classical Greek culture or developed continuously from it. In addition, he explores the divisions in Hellenistic culture separating an educated elite from the general population which was more mobile than before but perhaps less involved in city politics." "The Greek World after Alexander will be invaluable to students, teachers, and researchers alike."--Jacket 1 Approaches and sources 2 Alexander and his successors to 276 BC 3 Kings and cities 4 Macedonia and Greece, 5 Religion and philosophy 6 Ptolemaic Egypt 7 Literature and social identity 8 The Seleukid kingdom and Pergamon 9 Understanding the cosmos: Greek 'science' after Aristotle, 10 Rome and Greece Considering developments in literature, religion, philosophy, and science, The Greek World After Alexander examines social changes in the old and new cities of the Greek world and in the new post-Alexandrian kingdoms.