Hellenism is ... The culture and philosophy of the Hellenistic era

A new period in Greek history was the march to the East of the famous ruler of Alexander the Great. As a result of numerous wars, a huge power appeared, the borders of which stretched from Egypt to modern Central Asia. It was at this time that the era of Hellenism began. It should be understood as the extension of Greek culture to all territories conquered by Alexander the Great.

What can you say about Hellenism?

Due to the fact that the Greek and local cultures merged, Hellenism appeared. This mutual enrichment affected the preservation of a unified culture in several states after the collapse of the empire.

What does Hellenism mean? It should be noted immediately that it is violent, since the formation of this culture has occurred as a result of numerous wars. Hellenism contributed to the unification of the ancient Greek world with the ancient Eastern, earlier they developed in different directions. As a result, a powerful state has emerged that has a single social and economic structure, a political structure and culture.

As already mentioned, Hellenism is a kind of synthesis of different elements of culture. It can be viewed from several positions. On the one hand, the rise of Hellenism was influenced by the development of the ancient Greek society, as well as the crisis of the Greek polis. On the other hand, in its development the ancient Eastern societies played a role, namely their conservative and inactive social structure.

The causes that influenced the emergence of Hellenism

The need to merge several cultures arose because the Greek policy began to gradually slow down the historical progress, having exhausted all its possibilities. That's why there was a discord between different classes, a social struggle between the oligarchy and democracy. The fragmentation caused wars between separate cities. And that the history of the state did not stop, it was necessary to rally the conflicting sides.

However, this is not the only reason for the emergence of a new culture. The era of Hellenism arose in connection with the crisis of the ancient Eastern socio-political systems. In the IV century BC. The ancient Eastern world, which had already become part of the Persian Empire, was not experiencing the best period. In connection with the stagnant economy it was impossible to master vast empty lands. In addition, the kings of Persia did not give permission for the construction of new cities, did not support trade and did not put into circulation large reserves of currency metal lying in their cellars. And if Greece in the IV century BC. Suffered because of the excessive activity of the political system, overpopulation and limited resources, then in the Persian monarchy there was a reverse situation.

In this regard, the task arose of a kind of unification, the synthesis of different systems that can complement each other. In other words, there was a need for a culture such as Hellenism. This happened after the collapse of the state, built by Alexander the Great.

Merge different elements

What spheres of life were covered by the synthesis of components inherent in the Greek and Eastern states? There are several different points of view. Some scholars under Hellenism understood the unification of several elements peculiar to culture and religion. Domestic historians, this merger was described from the point of view of the combination and interaction of the economic, class-social, political, cultural spheres. In their opinion, Hellenism is a progressive step that strongly influenced the fate of the ancient Greek and ancient Eastern societies.

Synthesis of elements in different regions progressed in different ways. In some states it was more intensive, in others it was less. In some cities an important role was assigned to the elements inherent in Greek culture, in others the ancient Eastern principles dominated. Such differences arose in connection with the specific historical features of societies and cities.

The development of Hellenistic society

The period of Hellenism affected various state entities, ranging from Sicily and Southern Italy to north-western India (from the southern borders of the Aral Sea and to the first rapids of the Nile River). In other words, in the Hellenistic society there were classical Greece and the East. Only India and China were not included in this territory.

There are several regions that are characterized by common signs:

1. Egypt and the Middle East.
2. Middle East.
3. Balkan Greece, the western territory of Asia Minor, Macedonia.
4. Great Greece with the Black Sea Coast.

The most characteristic elements inherent in Hellenism, have manifested themselves in full in Egypt and the Middle East. In connection with this, these regions can be considered an area in which classical Hellenism dominated.

Greece, like other regions, had mainly differences in socio-economic, political and cultural spheres. We can say that in ancient Greece there was no synthesis at all. However, for some reason, it is asserted that these territories also entered the system of Hellenistic countries.

Development of culture and science

The culture of Hellenism influenced the disappearance of the gap characteristic of the classical period between technology and science, practice and theory. This can be seen in the works of Archimedes, who discovered the hydraulic law. It was he who made a huge contribution to the development of technology, designing a screw pump and combat propelling machines along with defensive weapons.

The creation of new cities and progress in such areas as navigation and military technology have contributed to the rise of some sciences. Of these, you can select mathematics, mechanics, astronomy, geography. A significant role in this played and Euclid. He became the founder of elementary geometry. Eratosthenes determined the true dimensions of the globe, Aristarchus of Samos proved that our planet rotates around its axis and moves around the sun. Successful development occurred in natural science and medicine.

The rapid development of science and culture entailed the need for information storage. In this regard, libraries were built in some cities.

Speaking about what features of Hellenism can be identified, we should say about the development of a new branch - philology. Great attention was paid to grammar, criticism, and so on. A huge role was assigned to schools. Literature became more diverse, but it still continued to yield to classical elements. Epos and tragedies have become more reasonable, since the erudition and virtuosity of the syllable, as well as sophistication, have come to the fore.

What happened in philosophy?

The philosophy of Hellenism also acquired some differences. Decreased faith in the gods. New cults began to appear. Civil ideals gradually took second place, giving way to individualism. Instead of commonality, indifference arose, indifference to those issues that were connected with the national identity of a person. It was the social position that became the determining factor in people's lives. The philosophy of the Hellenistic era was developed thanks to the formation of several schools: Cynics, skeptics, Stoics, Epicureans and Peripatetics.

Philosophers gradually began to abandon the idea of the cosmos. More attention was paid to a person from the position of a certain self-sufficient unit. Social and civic ideals have gone to the background.

It is necessary to give up all the benefits of civilization

A huge role in the development of Hellenism was played by Diogenes Sinopsky, who represented the school of Cynics. He did not write books, he just lived. The philosopher, in his own example, tried to show how important it is to follow the ideals that he believes are true. He argued that civilizations and all human inventions do not promote happiness, they are harmful. Wealth, power, glory - all these are just empty words. He lived in a barrel and went to rags.

Happiness should be without vanity

The philosophy of Hellenism gained much thanks to Epicurus, who was the founder of the school "Garden". For studying, he chose the problem of human happiness. Epicurus believed that the highest pleasure can be obtained only in the case of abandonment of aspirations concerning vanity. According to him, it is necessary to live imperceptibly, as far as possible from passions, in serene detachment.

Stoic statements

The philosophy of the Hellenistic era has reached its peak. A school of stoicism played a huge role in shaping the social outlook. She also dealt with the problem of human happiness. The following statement was made: in connection with the fact that it is impossible to avoid all sorts of troubles, one must get used to them. This is what was the salvation, according to the Stoics. You must properly organize your inner world. Only in this case, no external problems can not be taken out of balance. It is necessary to be above external stimuli.

Conclusion

Hellenism played a very important role in the development of European civilization. All the achievements of this period became the basis of aesthetic ideas that appeared together with other epochs. Greek philosophy became fundamental in the development of medieval theology. Mythology and literature continue to be popular at the present time.