Hellenistic+World+Rise+-+Socio-Political+Structure

**Socio- Political Structure**

-individual city-states prior to Hellenistic era came under control of monarch (http://www.crystalinks.com/greekcities.html) -Post Alexander, generals fought for more than 40 years over rule (Walbank, 46) -New monarchies:
 * Politics**

1. The Antigonid dynasty in Macedonia and central Greece

2. The Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt- based at Alexandria

3. The Seleucid dynasty in Syria and Mesopotamia- based at Antioch  4. The Attalid dynasty in Anatolia- based at Pergamum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellenistic_period) 

-These monarchies were ruled by force and fighting (http://www.gogreece.com/learn/history/Hellenistic_monarchies.html) -Leaders lacked Alexander’s organizational ability (http://www.gogreece.com/learn/history/Hellenistic_monarchies.html) -King’s helpers, known as “friends”, chosen personally by kings (Walbank, 75) -These “Friends” made up: the king’s counsel, ambassadors, army commands, offices of state (75)

-one of the most creative periods in history of religions (http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/260390/Hellenistic-religion) -a time of spiritual revolution- old cults died and new ones were born (Walbank, 209) -mystery religions were popular (http://wsu.edu/~dee/GREECE/HELLPHIL.HTM) -astrology and classical zodiac were popular (http://www.astrologyweekly.com/astrology-articles/hellenistic-astrology.php) -Hellenistic Judaism- morphing later into early Christianity (http://www.religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=2310&C=2309) -Many people worshipped Egyptian divinities such as Isis and Serapis (Walbank, 209)
 * Religion**

-concerned with how people achieve peace of mind (http://wsu.edu/~dee/GREECE/HELLPHIL.HTM) -3 major groups: the Stoics, the Epicureans, the Cynics -//Stoics// believed happiness resulted when people learned to accept events beyond their control and did their duty. //-Epicureans //sought pleasure in moderation and avoidance of pain. //-Cynics // tried to disregard all desires and pursued virtue. From: The World Book Encyclopedia: 2009 Edition G. Vol. 8
 * Philosophy**

-Greeks and Macedonians were seen as superior (Walbank, 65) -After Alexander died, his successors refused his idea of racial fusion- eliminated Medes and Persians from positions of authority -Only Greeks and Macedonians in positions of power- Natives=2.5% of positions of authority (65) -Greco-Macedonians intermarried to maintain culture (Pomeroy, 467)  The Rise of the Hellenistic World
 * Social Classes**