Chapter 12: The New World of the Hellenistic Period

Question 1

A confederation of Greek city-states in the northeastern part of the Peloponnese, formed in the 3rd century BCE.
Political and military alliance aimed at protecting its members from external threats, notably the Macedonians

Answer 1

Achaean League

Question 2

The last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt
famous for her relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony and for her efforts to preserve Egypt’s independence against Rome

Answer 2

Cleopatra VII

Question 3

An ancient Egyptian goddess worshipped widely across the Mediterranean. She was associated with motherhood, magic, and fertility, and became one of the most important deities in Egyptian religion, eventually being adopted in Greco-Roman culture

Answer 3

Isis

Question 4

A companion and general of Alexander the Great who became the ruler of Egypt after Alexander’s death. He founded the Ptolemaic dynasty, which ruled Egypt for nearly 300 years, and established the famous Library of Alexandria.

Answer 4

Ptolemy I

Question 5

A confederation of tribes in central Greece that played a significant role in Hellenistic Greece. It was a rival of the Achaean League and often clashed with Macedon and other powers of the time.

Answer 5

Aetolian League

Question 6

An ancient Greek philosophical school that advocated for living in accordance with nature and rejecting societal conventions and materialism

Answer 6

Cynicism

Question 7

It was one of the largest and most significant libraries of the ancient world. It was a center of learning and scholarship, attracting scholars from across the Mediterranean. It was founded during the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt.

Answer 7

The library of Alexandria

Question 8

The second ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt (r. 283–246 BCE). He is known for strengthening the empire, expanding its culture, and promoting the arts and sciences, including the expansion of the Library of Alexandria.

Answer 8

Ptolemy II

Question 9

A Macedonian general and satrap under Alexander the Great who later became a ruler in his own right. After Alexander’s death, he tried to unite the empire under his rule but was defeated in the Wars of the Diadochi, leading to his death in 301 BCE.

Answer 9

Antigonus the One-Eyed

Question 10

The son of Antigonus the One-Eyed,
A Greek king and general, known for his military skills and for his role in the Wars of the Diadochi
He is famous for his siege of Rhodes and his innovative use of war machines

Answer 10

Demetrius

Question 11

One of Alexander the Great’s generals who later became the ruler of Thrace and parts of Asia Minor after Alexander’s death. Lysimachus was one of the Diadochi (the successors of Alexander), and he was eventually defeated and killed in battle.

Answer 11

Lysimachus

Question 12

A syncretic Hellenistic deity created by Ptolemy I of Egypt, combining aspects of Greek gods like Zeus and Dionysus with Egyptian gods like Osiris and Apis. It was intended to unify Greek and Egyptian religious practices.

Answer 12

Sarapis

Question 13

A Greek island where the famous Antikythera Mechanism was discovered in 1901. The mechanism is an ancient analog computer used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses, demonstrating advanced engineering knowledge of the ancient Greeks.

Answer 13

Antikythera

Question 14

A philosophical school founded by Epicurus that emphasized the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain as the highest good. It advocated for simple living and the belief that happiness comes from intellectual contemplation and friendships.

Answer 14

Epicureanism

Question 15

A Greek playwright of the New Comedy genre, known for his comedies that focused on social and romantic themes. His works were influential in the development of later Roman comedy.

Answer 15

Meander

Question 16

A general under Alexander the Great who, after Alexander’s death, became the ruler of the vast eastern part of the empire, founding the Seleucid Empire. He ruled over much of the former Persian Empire, including Syria and parts of Anatolia.

Answer 16

Seleucus

Question 17

refers to a mechanical device or contraption. The most famous example is the Antikythera Mechanism, an ancient analog computer used to predict astronomical events.

Answer 17

Mechanism

Question 18

The founder of Epicureanism, a philosophy that taught that the purpose of life is to seek happiness through modest pleasures, intellectual growth, and friendship. Epicurus believed that the gods were indifferent to human affairs.

Answer 18

Epicurus

Question 19

The Museum of Alexandria was an institution founded by Ptolemy II in the 3rd century BCE in Alexandria, Egypt. It was a center of learning and housed scholars from around the world, contributing to the development of science, philosophy, and the arts.

Answer 19

Museum

Question 20

A philosophical school that doubted the possibility of certain knowledge. Ancient … like Pyrrho, argued that because all knowledge is uncertain, one should suspend judgment and live without firm beliefs.

Answer 20

Sketpicism

Question 21

A Greek poet and scholar, best known for writing the epic Argonautica, which tells the story of Jason and the Argonauts. He was associated with the Library of Alexandria and contributed significantly to Hellenistic literature.

Answer 21

Apollinus of Rhodes

Question 22

A Greek mathematician, geographer, and astronomer who is best known for calculating the Earth’s circumference with remarkable accuracy. He also created one of the earliest known maps of the world.

Answer 22

Eratosthenes

Question 23

A philosophical movement that revived and expanded upon the teachings of the ancient philosopher Pythagoras, particularly his ideas on mathematics, the soul, and the cosmos. It was influential in later philosophical developments, especially in the Roman Empire.

Answer 23

Neopythagoreanism

Question 24

A school of philosophy founded by Zeno of Citium that emphasized virtue, wisdom, and self-control as the path to happiness. Stoics believed that individuals should live in harmony with nature and accept what cannot be changed.

Answer 24

stoicism

Question 25

An island in the eastern Mediterranean that was home to the famous Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was also known for its maritime power and as a center of Hellenistic culture.

Answer 25

rhodes

Question 26

A Greek philosopher who proposed the idea of Euhemerism, which argued that the gods of mythology were actually historical figures who were later deified by their followers.

Answer 26

Euhemerus

Question 27

Ancient scrolls or manuscripts made from …, a plant native to the Nile Delta. They were used for writing in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome and have preserved many texts from those civilizations, including religious, literary, and administrative works.

Answer 27

papyri

Question 28

A Greek poet known for writing the Idylls, a collection of pastoral poems that celebrate rural life. He is often considered the creator of the genre of pastoral poetry.

Answer 28

Theocritus

Question 29

The queen of Egypt and wife of Ptolemy III Euergetes. She was known for her beauty, and her dedication to her husband led her to dedicate a lock of her hair to the gods in thanks for his successful campaign. The constellation Coma Berenices was named after her.

Answer 29

Berenice II

Question 30

A term used to describe the political independence and self-governance of Greek city-states. It was often a rallying cry in opposition to foreign domination, particularly against the Macedonian Empire and later the Roman Empire.

Answer 30

Greek freedom

Question 31

A general and one of Alexander the Great’s closest companions, who became regent of the Macedonian Empire after Alexander’s death. Perdiccas attempted to unify the empire but was ultimately assassinated during the Wars of the Diadochi.

Answer 31

Peridccas

Question 32

The Greek goddess of fortune, luck, and fate. Tyche was often depicted holding a cornucopia and a rudder, symbolizing prosperity and control over the course of events.

Answer 32

Tyche

Question 33

A Greek poet, scholar, and librarian at the Library of Alexandria. He was known for his innovative poetry and for his influence on Hellenistic literature, particularly through his hymns and epigrams.

Answer 33

Callimachus

Question 34

The period in history from the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE to the rise of the Roman Empire in the 1st century BCE. This era saw the spread of Greek culture and influence across a vast part of the world, from Greece and Egypt to India.

Answer 34

Hellenistic period

Question 35

The island off the coast of Alexandria, Egypt, where the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria (Pharos of Alexandria) stood. It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and served as a guiding light for sailors.

Answer 35

Pharos

Question 36

The founder of Stoicism, a school of philosophy that emphasized rationality, self-control, and virtue. He taught that the goal of life is to live in accordance with nature and to cultivate inner peace through wisdom and virtue.

Answer 36

Zeno