Chapter 5 - "Greater Greece: The Hellenistic Era 400-30 B.C"

               We are just beginning chapter five "Greater Greece: The Hellenistic Era 400-30 B.C" The "Hellenistic era" refers to the "international" period of Greek history; when most of the Mediterranean and Southwestern Asia were under Greek rule. Many important events took place during the Hellenistic era, beginning with King Phillip II of Macedonia coming into power and ending with the Roman conquest in Egypt. It was the time after Alexander the great when Greece was influenced by foreign elements. 

  

^^^^Map of Macedonia

        Peloponnesian war
         Although there were many reasons that Athens had been defeated in the Peloponnesian war, there were three key factors that instigated Athens's loss; natural disaster, poor leadership, and damaging losses. In 430 B.C. a deadly plague spread all over Athens, devouring much of its population. It even got around to their ruler of the time, Pericles. Pericles had died a short six months after he had caught the lethal epidemic. Though Athens did recover, after Pericles had passed away, Athens wasn't what it used to be. Many disorganized and careless politicians had grabbed a hold of Athens attempting to refurbish the disheveled city-state, but failing.
         In 413 B.C. Athens had lost two thirds of its navy in an expedition against Syracuse, Sparta's ally. The Spartans wanted some assistance from the Persians, and old Athenian rival that had considered Athens their biggest threat at that time. The Persians agreed, knowing they'd love to get revenge on an ancient blast from their past. Sparta had constructed a navy that would now be able to go against the smaller fleet of the Athenians. Never the less, their plan had worked. In 405 B.C, the Spartans had defeated Athens at the strait between the Aegean and the Black Sea. The Spartan fleet had destroyed grain supplies starving the Athenians, and eventually forcing them to surrender in 404 B.C.

359 B.C.
            In 359 B.C. King Philip II began ruling Macedonia. He was very determined to lead most of the Greek city states so he could combine the Greek and Macedonian army to defeat the enfeebled Persian empire. For the first time in ages, a ruler was able to use his power wisely. He let most of the Greek city-states to rule themselves as an oligarchy, and Greece acted as a loyal ally. His twenty year old son ,Alexander III, later succeeded him and lived out his father's legacy.