Hellenistic Greece: The World After Alexander
After Alexander the Great, his generals carved up his empire and Greek culture spread from Egypt to Afghanistan. Discover the kingdoms, thinkers and wars of the Hellenistic world.
Key Events of Hellenistic Greece
The Story of Hellenistic Greece
The Hellenistic period began with the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC, when his generals divided his vast empire among themselves. After decades of war between these successors, three great kingdoms emerged: the Ptolemies in Egypt, the Seleucids in Asia and the Antigonids in Macedon. Greek became the common language from the Mediterranean to Afghanistan, and new cities such as Alexandria and Antioch became centers of trade and learning. In Alexandria, the famous Library gathered the knowledge of the ancient world, Euclid wrote his Elements, and scholars translated the Hebrew Bible into Greek. In Athens, Zeno and Epicurus founded the Stoic and Epicurean schools of philosophy. Mainland Greece itself was often caught between the great powers, with leagues of cities such as the Achaean League fighting for independence. From around 200 BC, Rome intervened in Greek affairs, defeating Macedon in a series of wars. The period ended as Greece came under Roman control in 146 BC.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Hellenistic period?
The Hellenistic period lasted from the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC until the Roman conquest, usually dated to 146 BC in Greece or 31 BC overall.
What does Hellenistic mean?
Hellenistic comes from Hellen, the Greek word for a Greek. It describes the period when Greek culture spread across the lands conquered by Alexander.
What were the Hellenistic kingdoms?
The main kingdoms were the Ptolemaic Kingdom in Egypt, the Seleucid Empire in Asia and the Antigonid Kingdom in Macedon, along with Pergamon and others.
What were the great achievements of the Hellenistic age?
The age produced the Library of Alexandria, Euclid's geometry, the work of Archimedes, the Stoic and Epicurean schools, and famous art such as the Venus de Milo.
How did the Hellenistic period end?
Rome defeated the Hellenistic kingdoms one by one. Greece fell in 146 BC, and the last kingdom ended when Cleopatra died after the Battle of Actium.
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