Undergraduate MAQ-AHIX341-2018

The Hellenistic Age

Currently MAQ-AHIX3210-2020

Follow in the footsteps of Alexander the Great as he marched through history. Start at his invasion of the Persian Empire and end with his successors heralding the Roman Empire. Examine the cultural history of the eastern Mediterranean as you go.

Study method

100% online

Available loans

HECS-HELP
FEE-HELP

Assessments

100% online

Prior study

Not required

This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 30,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.

QS RANKING 2021

Times Higher Education Ranking 2021

Subject details

What you'll learn

At the completion of this subject students will:

1. have basic knowledge of the key events which occurred during Alexander's invasion and in the period of the Successor Kings

2. have gained an understanding of the key cultural developments in the Successor Kingdoms from the Third Century BC to the First Century BC

3. have also gained an understanding of the impact of the emerging Roman Empire in the eastern Mediterranean and in turn the effects that these eastern imperial acquisitions had on Roman culture

4. be able to critically analyse the literary, epigraphic and archaeological evidence for this period.

Topics covered

- In the footsteps of Alexander
- Alexander and the army; sources on Alexander's reign
- Alexander's motives; modern interpretations of Alex
- Coinage of Alex the Great; succession crisis
- Monarchy and religion ruler cult
- The Seleucid Kings; the Antigonids
- The Ptolemies; the Hellenisation process
- Seleucid Dura Europos
- Hellenistic philosophy and political protest
- Potters Oracle and Egyptian resistance to Ptolemaic rule
- Anti-Hellenic reaction in Palestine
- Rise of Parthian Empire and the Hellenistic world
- Hellenistic religion

Entry requirements

Equivalent subjects

You cannot enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:

MAQ-AHIX241-Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic Age
MAQ-HST225

Others

You must complete Level 1 and 2 studies in Ancient History before starting this subject.

Special requirements

No special requirements

Description

This subject was previously known as AHIX241 Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic Age.

Alexander the Great's extraordinary conquests towards the end of the fourth century BC opened up vast areas of the ancient Near East to Greek influences. This subject deals with the cultural history of the eastern Mediterranean area, beginning with Alexander's invasion of the Persian Empire. It follows the fortunes of his successors in the third and second centuries BC, treating the Hellenisation of native peoples and reactions to cultural change, down to and including the early first century AD and the emergence of the Roman Empire.

Assessments

Assignment 1 (25%)
Assignment 2 (30%)
Non-Invigilated Exam (35%)
Online Discussion (10%)

Textbooks