Hellenistic Tradition

The Rise of the Hellenistic Style

Alexander the Great
- 4th century BC unification of the Greek peninsula
- Independent polis replaced by a unified kingdom
- Kingdom expands east
The spread of Greek classicism throughout the empire

Hellenistic vs. Hellenic

Visual Arts

General Stylistic Traits
- Emotional/passionate
- Frank realism/pain
- Worldly not abstract
- Twisted and dynamic
- Asymmetrical
The Gauls
- Tenacious warring foes of the Hellenistic Greeks
- Gaul military campaigns
  - Gaul and Wife
  - Dying Gaul
Human form - the real replaces the ideal <span class="text">It appears that you are running an older version of Netscape. Consider upgrading to the latest version (or Internet Explorer) to fully benifit from my web site.</span>
- Old Market Woman
- Real vs. Ideal
  - Hellenistic Aphrodite
  - Hellenic Aphrodite
Irrational, subconscious and dream states
- Sleeping Satyr
- Sleeping Hermaphrodite
Zeus and Athena
- Altar of Zeus
- Contrasting Hellenic forms
  - Zeus
  - Athena (vs. Hellenic version)

Two Philosophical Perspectives

Stoicism
- Belief in a universal world soul
- A creator, with a creator's grand design
  - A created order required an ordered life
  - Life has meaning and is purposeful
  - Virtue, duty, and the simple life is called for
Epicureanism
- Rejection of a creator concept
- Through atomism created form is random
  - Meaning of life is, life-itself
  - Hedonism - the pursuit of happiness

More extensive and full-sized art works may be seen in the art gallery