Unit 6_ Ancient Greece Part 4 -The Hellenistic Period

The Hellenistic Period

  • Transition from Classical Greek art to a new style that reflects the diverse influences after Alexander the Great's conquests.

Alexander The Great (356-323 BC)

  • Birth and Early Life:

    • Born in 356 BCE in Macedonia.

    • Became king at age 20 in 336 BCE after his father was assassinated.

  • Conquests:

    • Mounted a campaign against the Persians, conquering their territories.

    • Never lost a battle, showcasing military genius.

  • Death:

    • Died at age 32 in Babylon.

  • Impact:

    • Ushered in the Hellenistic Era, marked by Greek cultural and political dominance across vast land.

Mapping Alexander's Empire

  • Key Regions Conquered:

    • From Greece to India, including extensive territories in Persia and Babylon.

    • Major cities established include Alexandria, which became cultural and intellectual hubs.

  • Notable Battles:

    • Granicus (334 BCE)

    • Gaugamela (331 BCE)

The Successors of Alexander

  • After his death, his empire was divided among his generals:

    • Antigonos: Gained parts of Asia Minor.

    • Cassander: Took charge of Macedonia and Greece.

    • Lysimachos: Controlled regions in Asia Minor and Thrace.

    • Ptolemaios: Ruled Egypt and developed Alexandria into a prominent city.

    • Seleukos: Established the Seleucid Empire, controlling a vast area from the Aegean to India.

Hellenistic Art and Culture

  • Characterized by increased emotional expression and exploration of diverse subjects.

  • Introduction of genre pieces—art reflecting everyday life.

Noteworthy Hellenistic Artworks

  • Pergamon Altar (200-150 BCE):

    • Located in the Pergamon Museum, Berlin.

    • Celebrated for its grand scale and intricate friezes depicting mythological battles.

  • Laocoon and His Sons (40-30 BCE):

    • A Roman replica representing dramatic expression and movement, attributed to Rhodian sculptors.

  • Nike of Samothrace (c. 190 BCE):

    • A stunning representation of victory, currently displayed in the Louvre.

  • Boxer at Rest (ca. 330-50 BCE):

    • A bronze statue reflecting the Hellenistic interest in realism and naturalism.

  • Dying Gaul (1st-2nd century CE):

    • A Roman copy that honors Pergamon's victory over the Gauls, exhibiting powerful emotionality.

  • Boy with Thorn (Spinario):

    • An example of Hellenistic focus on daily life and youth.

Key Characteristics of Hellenistic Art

  • Intensified Emotion:

    • Artworks frequently portray dramatic scenes with depth of feeling.

  • Diversity of Subject Matter:

    • Not only gods and heroes but also ordinary people and scenes of life.

  • Innovative Techniques:

    • Greater emphasis on movement, texture, and realist details compared to earlier Classical styles.