Hellénistiques

Hellénistiques refers to the period of ancient Greek history and culture that followed the Classical era, beginning with the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE and lasting until the Roman conquest of the eastern Mediterranean, typically marked by the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE. This era witnessed the widespread dissemination of Greek language, art, architecture, and political ideas throughout Alexander's vast empire, which stretched from Greece to northwestern India.

Key characteristics of the Hellenistic period include the rise of large, successor kingdoms, often ruled by Alexander's generals (the Diadochi), such as the Seleucid Empire, the Ptolemaic Kingdom in Egypt, and the Antigonid dynasty in Macedon. These kingdoms fostered vibrant cosmopolitan centers like Alexandria, Antioch, and Pergamon, which became hubs of learning, trade, and cultural exchange.

Hellenistic art and architecture are known for their increased naturalism, emotional intensity, and dramatic compositions, departing from the more idealized forms of the Classical period. Philosophy also flourished, with new schools like Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Cynicism emerging and gaining prominence. The Hellenistic age laid much of the groundwork for the Roman Empire, as Roman culture absorbed and adapted many Hellenistic influences.