Hellenistic Culture

Alexander’s policies sprouted new Hellenistic culture. Hellenistic culture is a blend of Egyptian, Persian, and Indian influences.

Alexandria became a very big part of Hellenistic civilization. Alexandria was widely admired by residents and visitors.in Alexandria there was a lighthouse, called the pharos, it used a mirror and fire to create the light house effect. In Alexandria the museum contained an observatory of the planets and the stars. One astronomer named Aristarchus believe that the Earth was at the center of the solar system, and this was widely accepted. Another man named Eratosthenes believed that the earth was between 28,000- 29,000 miles, it is actually 24,860 miles.  One genius named Archimedes estimated the value of pi.

2 Greek philosophers founded schools, one called Stoicism and one called Epicureanism. Zeno created stoicism. Stoics proposed that people should live their lives by the will of god and Epicurus’ believed that the only real objects were those that the 5 senses perceived.

Like science and philosophy sculptures flourished in Hellenistic times. Colossus of Rhodes was the biggest sculpture built in Hellenistic times. It was made of bronze and stood more than 100 feet high. This brilliant sculpture was demolished in an earthquake.