Hellenistic & Greek Art

The Hellenistic Age marks the transformation of Greek society from the localized and introverted city-states to an open, cosmopolitan, and at times exuberant culture that permeated the entire eastern Mediterranean, and Southwest Asia. While the Hellenistic world incorporated a number of different people, Greek thinking, mores, and way of life dominated the public affairs of the time. All aspects of culture took a Greek hue, with the Greek language being established as the official language of the Hellenistic world. The art and literature of the era were transformed accordingly. Instead of the previous preoccupation with the Ideal, Hellenistic art focused on the Real. Depictions of man in both art and literature revolved around exuberant, and often amusing themes that for the most part explored the daily life and the emotional world of humans, gods, and heroes alike.

The autonomy of individual cities of the Classical era gave way to the will of the large kingdoms that were led by one ruler. As Alexander left no apparent heir, his generals controlled the empire. They fought common enemies and against each other as they attempted to establish their power, and eventually, three major kingdoms emerged through the strife that followed the death of Alexander in 323 BCE and persisted for the most part over the next three hundred years.


Hellenistic Period

Alexander the Great’s Legacy



One of the biggest things that set this time period apart from the rest of the periods in Ancient Greece was the impact that Alexander the Great had on the Greeks. For example, Alexander considerably expanded Greece’s borders as he headed towards the East. This caused waves of Greeks to leave their original homelands and settle in areas further East, thus expanding his empire by doing more than just conquering the land. Many of those who emigrated were young and ambitions and were motivated to spread the Greek influence to places throughout the world. Evidence of this can still be felt today. Once Alexander the Great passed away, this also did a lot to impact the people, who struggled to find their way after his death. The Hellenistic Period technically began after he died.



Rise of the Roman Empire












Once Alexander the Great passed away, Greece became vulnerable. In many ways, this single event is what set the town for the Hellenistic Period. While Alexander the Great’s time represented a period of remarkable growth for the Greek people, when he died, it further changed the way Ancient Greece was. The Greek city-states were also still in place, many of which were thriving. However, in 192 B.C. war finally broke out when Rome went to war with the Greek Ruler Antiochus. Rome attacked with a 10,000 man army, and many looked at Antiochus as someone who cold save them from Roman rule. After a long period of political instability, wars, and Roman influence, Greece finally became part of the Roman Empire in 27 B.C.

The Hellenistic Period is looked at as the final period of Ancient Greece because after that, Greece had been annexed to the Roman Empire.