The Progress of Science in the Hellenistic Age

Alexander died in 323 bc The spread of Greek learning that resulted from his conquests, however, laid the foundation for much of the cultural progress of the Hellenistic Age Alexandria, the city founded by Alexander at the mouth of the Nile River in Egypt, became the intellectual capital of the world and a center of Greek scholarship Its famous library, founded by Ptolemy I, was said to have contained 700,000 rolls of papyrus manuscripts

In the 5th century BC, with the rise of Athens as a wealthy democratic state, the center of Greek culture passed to the peninsula Here the Greeks reached the peak of their extraordinary creative energy This was the great period of Greek literature, architecture, and sculpture, a period that reached its culmination in the age of Pericles. Philosophers now turned their thoughts from the study of matter to the study of humankind

Toward the end of the century Socrates ushered in what is considered to be the most brilliant period of Greek philosophy, passing on his wisdom to his pupil Plato. Plato in turn handed it on to “the master of t

In literature and art the Hellenistic Age was imitative, looking to the masterpieces of earlier days for inspiration In science, however, much brilliant and original work was done Archimedes put mechanics on a sound footing, and Euclid established geometry as a science Eratosthenes made maps and calculated Earth’s circumference

Aristarchus put forward the hypothesis that Earth revolves around the Sun. Ptolemy, or Claudius Ptolemaeus, believed all the heavenly bodies circled Earth, and his views prevailed throughout the Middle Ages

Let’s Review!

1 When did Alexander die, and how did his conquests contribute to the spread of Greek learning?

2 What role did Alexandria play in the Hellenistic Age, and how did its famous library become a center of Greek scholarship?

3 During the rise of Athens in the 5th century BC, what cultural achievements marked the peak of Greek creative energy?

4 Who played a key role in the brilliant period of Greek philosophy, and how did knowledge pass from Socrates to Plato and then to Aristotle?

How Greek Culture Survived

The Hellenistic Age ended with the establishment of the Roman Empire in 31 bc The Romans borrowed from the art and science of the Greeks and drew upon their philosophy of Stoicism As Christianity grew and spread, it was profoundly influenced by Greek thought. Throughout the period of the barbarian invasions, Greek learning was preserved by Christians in Constantinople and by Muslims in Cairo, Egypt Its light shone again in the Middle Ages with the founding of the great universities in Italy, France, and England During the Renaissance it provided an impetus for the rebirth of art and literature Modern science rests on the Greek idea of humankind’s capacity to solve problems by rational methods In almost every phase of life the quickening impulse of Greek thought can be seen among the peoples who inherited this priceless legacy

Let’s Review!

1 When did the Hellenistic Age come to an end, and how did the Romans interact with Greek culture during this period?

2 How did Greek thought continue to influence various aspects of human civilization, including Christianity, during the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and the development of modern science?