Greek language and culture overview

Greek

After the death of Alexander the Great, the rulers of subdued kingdoms faced a dilemma of further organization of political and social life, as before Alexander's conquer these kingdoms were traditionally ruled by absolute monarchs. In order to save relative order and peace on conquered territories Greeks didn't make serious administrative and political reforms. But nevertheless, Greeks caused a number of changes in the life of kingdoms being members of political elite. Changes were especially obvious in cities founded by Greeks, turning subdued kingdoms into what is known today as Hellenistic world. Interaction with non-Greeks and adoptation of Greek culture by non-Greeks was explained by the fact that native peoples in most cases were used to foreign domination.

Alexander the Great had an idea to found a number of Greek cities in conquered world, which would be outposts of Hellenization and would promote assimilation of subdued peoples. Such strategy was very successful, as urbanization led to the development of trade, growth of goods production and economical prosperity of the most remote and outdated provinces.

Greek cities in the Hellenistic kingdoms were typical polises in classic meaning- they had their own territories, municipal autonomy for solving financial and judicial issues, and were ruled by elective magistrates. Nevertheless, freedoms of Hellenistic polises were limited as they were supervised by governors and often had to fund garrisons. The rulers of Hellenistic kingdoms had positive attitude to the development of cities, even though that they had only nominal power on its territories. Hellenistic rulers often invested into construction of social infrastructure, roads, systems of communication; gave financial and military support in case of disasters or trouble times. In addition, Hellenistic rulers guaranteed protection of private property in Greek polises.

There were number of reasons for stimulating urbanization. Cities promoted economical growth of provinces, due to growing goods production and trade. Cities were also guaranteed neutrality and protection during wartime caused by political instability of Hellenistic epoch. Taxes paid by cities formed one of the main articles of royal treasury income, which allowed Hellenistic kings to have big armies for protection of trade routes. it's also important to note that kingdoms of Asia Minor stimulated urbanization because it allowed to shorten direct kingdom's expenses on supporting big armies, in addition urbanization with its self-government freed kings from direct administrative regulations. But urbanization policy stimulation, promoted by Hellenistic rulers, had different results as in many respects cities turned into the most serious pockets of resistance in the kingdoms, as the idea of Greek polis naturally contradicted with autocracy and despotism of Hellenistic rulers. For example, founding cities on royal possessions gave less profits, as direct and indirect taxation of cities appeared in many cases less profitable than taxation of royal landowners. From the other side, urbanization also led to the weakening centralization.

But in a general scope one the hand with military and economical advantages urbanization also led to cultural Hellenization, which is considered to be its main political achievement. it's important to note that a number of kingdoms in Asia Minor and Middle East adopted Greek law and Greek civil norms. Such changes had a very progressive effect on social life, as it led to the reduction of slavery and guaranteed protection of property rights to citizens in former despotic societies.