Greek Civilisation: Military Strategies, Philosophies, and Art

This document explores various aspects of Greek Civilisation, including military strategies, philosophies of Plato and Aristotle, the conquests of Alexander the Great, Hellenistic kingdoms, characteristics of Hellenistic art, and the similarities between classical Athens and the Hellenistic world. It provides insights into the variations in hoplite warfare, the rise of mercenary armies, the response of philosophies to the crisis of the polis, and the driving forces behind the scientific revolution of antiquity.

Running Head: GREEK CIVILISATION
GREEK CIVILISATION
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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1. In what ways were the military strategies of PHILIP II variations on older forms of
hoplite warfare?
Philip had spent the early phases of his life as a captive in Thebes, where he learnt
plenty of military tricks, under the guidance of Epaminondas. There he learnt fragmented
military strategies which he had applied to bring a huge variation in the hoplite warfare
(Sourcebooks.fordham.edu, 2019).
It is true that Philip was greatly benefited from these teachings. once he ascended the
throne of Macedonia he decided to reconstruct the old semi-Barbaric Macedonian army and
bring variations on older forms of hoplite warfare (Sourcebooks.fordham.edu, 2019).
2. How did the rise of mercenary armies and of Thebes further change military strategies
in the fourth century?
From the Bronze Age conquest of Troy to the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC, Greek
military strategies had gone through multiple changes. The rise of mercenary armies and of
Thebes can be attributed to the implementation of new medieval war strategies like
decentralisation of the large army and usage of modern equipment in the fourth century.
Thus, mercenary armies had built the pillars of their successes by learning from their failures
(Fod.infobase.com.library.esc.edu, 2019).
3. How did the philosophies of PLATO and ARISTOTLE respond to the crisis of the
polis?
Plato and Aristotle looked at the crisis of the polis through the prism of philosophy.
The philosophies of Plato and Aristotle which gave birth to the concept of ‘Real truth’ and
‘Noble truth’ were used to explain the crisis of polis. According to Plato, the concept of
‘Noble truth’ should be used for the establishment of ‘Real truth’. According to Plato a
peaceful world above as well as beyond the world perceived by us could only be established
if we would grasp the concept of the ‘Good’, ‘Real truth’ as well ‘Noble truth’.

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4. To what degree did the conquests of ALEXANDER THE GREAT unite Mesopotamia,
Egypt, and Greece?
The degree of uniting Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece can be realised by the
formation of the culturally diverse army by ALEXANDER THE GREAT. He exemplified
Homeric heroes who were wealthy had modern arm and training and gathered people from
Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece, trained them. The degree of unity was evident from the
cooperation and devotion of the army. Their commanding presence on the war field gave the
assurance of the success of the Macedonians (Schoff, 1912).
5.Why and how did the three HELLENISTIC KINGDOMS emerge?
The Hellenistic World refers to the generation of the culture as well as civilisation of
Greece through the Mediterranean as well as Asia Minor after the death of Alexander in
323 BC. This is how Hellenistic Kingdom emerge.
The reason behind the emergence of Hellenistic Kingdom can be found from the
generals Ptolemy, Antigone, Parmenion, Cassander, and engagement of Seleucus in the
struggle to form personal kingdoms from Alexander's empire (Lerner, Meacham & Burns,
1998).
6. How were the AETOLIAN AND ACHAEAN LEAGUES new models for governance
and cooperation in Greece? -72
Aetolian and Achaean Leagues new models for governance and cooperation in Greece
formulated some goals. They are: 1) to maintain a common peace in Greece and 2) to avenge
the Persian aggression against the Greeks. The alliance council was empowered to pass
decress binding on member states, to arbitrate disputes between them, and to try individuals
accused of treason (Lerner, Meacham & Burns, 1998).
.

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7. In what ways were STOICISM, EPICUREANISM, and other new philosophies a
response to COSMOPOLITANISM and the breakdown of traditional societies and values?
The traditional societies and values were abolished with the intervention of the neo-
liberal thinking. The perspective towards life had been broaden. This specially reflected in
federal hierarchy as well as the relationship between men and women, the progressive
thoughts of the society which was generated by Aristotle and Plato (Lerner, Meacham &
Burns, 1998).
.
8. What were the driving forces behind the SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION OF
ANTIQUITY? What were its main achievements?
The need for a change in the society as well as the federal system, the popularity of
the medieval merchants as well as the advent of the philosophers like Plato Aristotle,
Copernicus were considered to be the driving forces which accelerated the scientific
revolution of antiquity. Other factors like-the progressive mentality of the mass the protests
for abolishing the slavery system were also responsible for the scientific revolution of
antiquity (Lerner, Meacham & Burns, 1998).
.
9. What are some essential characteristics of HELLENISTIC ART? -72
Hellenistic art was basically the combination of Mesopotamian, Egyptian and Greek
art. The art forms were-sculpture, painting, plays and music. The essential characteristic of
Hellenistic art were-portrayal of reality, relationship between men and woman, representation
of homosexuality and federal system. Another important feature of Hellenistic art is, it
focused on art as a ‘commodity’ (Lerner, Meacham & Burns, 1998).
.
10. In what ways did it differ from that of the fifth century b.c.e.(see Chapter 3)? -72

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Unlike the portrayal of the protests of the mass against the conventions of the federal
system during fifth century, the Hellenistic art focuses more on man woman relationship and
the realities related to the warfare. This can be considered as the main difference between the
concepts behind the creation as well as the representation of art of Hellenistic period and
Fifth century (Lerner, Meacham & Burns, 1998).
.
11.“The history of the world is but the biography of great men”: so the Scottish historian
Thomas Carlyle (1795– 1881) summarized the impact of figures like Alexander the Great.
How would you construct an argument in support of this proposition, using what you’ve
learned in this chapter? How would you refute it?
Alexander the Great’s conquests in the third century BC had a profound impact on
eastern and western culture. With the expansion of his empire, Hellenism, or Greek-
influenced, culture spread from the Mediterranean to Asia. The passage of his armies through
the mountainous regions of modern-day Afghanistan and Tibet led to the expansion of trade
routes between Europe and Asia. The opening of these routes not only increased trade but
allowed unprecedented cultural and religious exchanges between the east and west. Hence
watching the contribution of Alexandar The Great Scottish historian Thomas Carlyle (1795–
1881) commented that his spirit and bravery was impeccable (Lerner, Meacham & Burns,
1998).
.
12. In what ways do Alexander’s actions demonstrate his own knowledge of history as
well as a capacity to apply that knowledge to his own circumstances?
Alexander’s actions demonstrate his own knowledge of history as well as a capacity
to apply that knowledge to his own circumstances. This was evident from his war strategies,
his performance as a ruler, as well as his bravery (Lerner, Meacham & Burns, 1998).

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.
13. Can you identify leaders of our own day who have mobilized their understanding of
history in similar ways?
Almost all the leaders of contemporary days mobilized their understanding of history in
similar ways
14. In your view, which civilization more resembles our own: classical Athens or the
Hellenistic world? Why? What characteristics make an era seem “modern”? -72
The civilization of Hellenistic world resembles our own, because, same as the
Hellenistic Civilization most of the civilizations of contemporary times believe in the
merging of different cultures, ideas, art forms. Just like the Hellenistic art, the contemporary
art is seen more as a ‘commodity’ (Lerner, Meacham & Burns, 1998).
.
The characteristics that make an era seem “modern” are- progressive thinking of the
society; advancement in science and technology; removal of conservatism including the
barriers of cultural diversity, religion; growth of international trade; adoption of the neo-
liberal policies for the development of the economy; achievement of sustainability to for a
healthy and educated society, enlightenment by the philosophers and leaders (Lerner,
Meacham & Burns, 1998).

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