hellenic

Hellenic is an adjective referring to Greece or Greek culture, peoples, and language. It derives from Hellenes, the term the ancient Greeks used for themselves, and is commonly used in scholarly and international contexts to distinguish Greek historical periods and institutions from other terms. In classical antiquity, Hellenic described the civilization of ancient Greece, particularly from the Archaic through the late Classical periods, including major city-states, philosophy, and art. By contrast, the term Hellenistic is used for the era after Alexander the Great, when Greek culture spread across the eastern Mediterranean and Near East.

In modern usage, Hellenic can denote things related to contemporary Greece as well as its historical and cultural heritage. The official name of the Greek state is the Hellenic Republic (Elliniki Dimokratia). The Greek language is often grouped under the broader umbrella of Hellenic languages in linguistic and historical contexts.

Hellenic culture encompasses philosophy, literature, theater, art, sculpture, science, and political thought that originated in ancient Greece and influenced neighboring regions and later European thought. Today, Hellenic influence persists through modern Greek national identity, archaeology, and the global Greek diaspora.