The World of Alexander

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel in the footsteps of Alexander the Great; one of history’s most brilliant military leaders and powerful rulers

• Discover the ruins of ancient Macedonia’s capital, birthplace of Philip II and Alexander and the city where the great tragic poet Euripides wrote his final plays ; ancient Pella

• Explore gems registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the city of Aigai and the archaeological site of Philippi

• Marvel at the ancient Amphipolis, where in 2012 Greek archaeologists unearthed the biggest burial tumulus ever discovered in Greece

• Tour fascinating archaeological museums, such as the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki and the stunning Archaeological Museum of Vergina, under the expert guidance of highly-qualified, licensed archaeologists

• Become intimately acquainted with Alexander the Great and his mentor Aristotle through intriguing, on-site seminars and workshops by enthusiastic lecturers

• Get lost in the breathtaking scenery of ancient Greece’s most sacred mountain, Olympus, the highest in the country and l home to the 12 Olympian Gods

THE SYLLABUS

Alexander the Great & the Hellenistic Culture

This module concentrates on the rise of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon from the periphery of the Greek world to the role of leading power. Under the rule of Philip II, Macedonia expanded rapidly and came to dominate the politics of Greece. When his son, Alexander the Great, succeeded his father, he embarked on the conquest of the Persian Empire. He died prematurely in 323 BCE. In the absence of a successor, his empire was carved among his generals, who established a series of rivalling kingdoms. For the next century and a half, the Greek language and culture expanded across the eastern Mediterranean and shaped the emergence of the Hellenistic world.

This module concentrates on the rise of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon, its expansion under Philip II and his son, Alexander the Great, and the Hellenistic kingdoms that arose after Alexander’s premature death in 323 BCE. The module also treats the rise of Rome from its origins, and its consequent integration into and the establishment of hegemony over the Hellenistic world to 146 BCE.

An Introduction to Aristotelian Philosophy

What is philosophy? How is it differentiated from religion, science, and other disciplines? This module explores the evolution of ancient Greek philosophy, from its early origins to its masterful development by Aristotle, the tutor of Alexander the Great and a key influence on the man who shaped the history of Macedonia and the Hellenistic world. We will explore the birth of Greek philosophical thinking in the social, political and religious milieu of the Greek colonies in Asia Minor, where the pre-Socratic natural philosophers attempted to understand their world and made substantial contributions in the fields of science, religion, modes of discourse, reality and order. Then we will cover the world and ideas of the sophists, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and his successors.

The Transition from the Hellenistic to the Roman world

The transformative conquests of Alexander the Great established a vast empire from the shores of the Aegean Sea to the foothills of the Himalayas and the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula. His successors carved their own kingdoms and embarked on a series of wars as they vied for power and wealth. Thus they failed to notice the rise of a new power in the west. Rome gradually grew from an insignificant city to a world power. The Roman legions defeated all the Hellenistic kings and established a firm and lasting control over Greece, Macedonia, Egypt, and Asia Minor. How, and most importantly, why was this momentous transition from the Hellenistic to the Roman world made?

PERKS & OPTIONS

What is included in our programs?

• 3 US credits provided by the Hellenic American University
• Accommodation in hand-picked and well-located superior class hotels
• Breakfast and lunch
• Professionals e.g. licensed guides, lecturers, and tour managers
• Entrance fees to museums and archaeological sites
• All land and sea transportation included in the itinerary of the specific program
• Information material
• Local taxes
• Travel insurance
• Transport to and from the airport in Greece

Optional

• Airfares to and from Greece
• Any custom request

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