Essay2

Continuities and Ruptures between the Hellenistic and Classical Periods Name: Institutional affiliation: Course: Date: Introduction The ancient Greek history is broken down into five major periods namely the Mycenaean Period (c. 1600–1100 BCE), Dark Ages (c. 1100–800 BCE), the Archaic Period (750– 480 BCE), the Classical Period (479– 323 BCE), and the Hellenistic Period (323– 30 BCE) (Homer & Wyatt, 1999; HIST210L11). Each of these periods played a critical role in reshaping the Greek History to what it is today. In this paper, the focus is on identifying three aspects of Hellenistic period that form the continuity with the classical period, as well as three aspects that represent a rupture between the Hellenistic and Classical period. Aspects of Hellenistic period that form the continuity with the classical period Art and Architecture The three centuries of Greek history between death of King Alexander the Great in around 323 BCE and rise of Augustus in Rome in about 31 BCE characterizes the Hellenistic period (Harrison, 2009). Before the death of Alexander, the Great died, he had overseen major conquests that massively expanded his Macedonian empire to include Persia, Anatolia, Syria, Mesopotamia, Egypt, India and Afghanistan (Huber, 2019). The newly conquered territories continued the artistic and architectural traditions established in the Classical period. While there was evolution and innovation, such as the showcasing of realism and human emotions in art during the Hellenistic period, the fundamental principles of balance and harmony persisted. The use of classical architectural orders, such as Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian, in building design remained prevalent in Hellenistic structures (Becker, 2020). For example, Notable examples include the Great Altar of Pergamon, built during the reign of Eumenes II (197-156BCE) showcases the intricate friezes as well as the dynamic compositions that characterized the Classical art. Philosophical Legacy The Hellenistic recreated a philosophy that was built upon the foundations laid during the Classical period. While the focus had shifted from an abstract metaphysical inquiry to individualistic and practical concerns, the great works of classical philosophers such as Plato, Socrates, Protagoras, and Aristotle continued to influence ...