Hellenistic Period

Definition

The Hellenistic Period refers to the time after Alexander the Great's conquests (323 BCE - 31 BCE), when Greek culture spread throughout his empire. Artworks from this period often depicted dramatic emotions, dynamic poses, and realistic details.

Analogy

Picture a theater stage filled with actors passionately expressing their emotions through gestures and facial expressions. Similarly, artworks from the Hellenistic Period aimed to evoke strong emotional responses from viewers.

Related terms

Pathos: Pathos refers to an artistic representation that evokes feelings of pity or sympathy. It was frequently employed in Hellenistic art.

Pergamon Altar: A famous monument from the Hellenistic period located in modern-day Turkey. It showcases intricate reliefs depicting battles between gods and giants.

Alexandria: The city of Alexandria in Egypt was a major center of Hellenistic culture and art. It housed the famous Library of Alexandria, which attracted scholars from all over the ancient world.