Going Greek: Hellenistic Art throughout the Ancient World

Going Greek: Hellenistic Art throughout the Ancient World

In the fourth century B.C.E., Alexander the Great swept across Greece, Egypt, the Near East, Mesopotamia, Persia, and into north India. With him came sweeping changes in the style of artwork produced by much of the interconnected global civilizations at the time. In a sense, the Hellenistic style united a far greater swathe of geography than even the Macedonian’s military campaigns did. With exposure to the dramatically different Greek concept of the representation of the human figure, especially as the Hellenistic Period progressed as more and more emotionally-compelling, hyper-realistic sculptures emerged, innumerable centers of local art production across Asia Minor, Arabia, Mesopotamia, Persia, and into the Indus Valley were energized by the new style and absorbed its tell-tale markers. From the Hellenistic Period onward, much of the ancient world looked to Greece for guidance in the visual arts. Not only art was influenced; this lecture also takes a look at the scientific legacies of Greek Alexandria in Egypt and its spread throughout the ancient world. While on the one hand, Greek art forms were being introduced, on the other, Classical Greek art also absorbed many previously foreign elements into its canon. This distinctive fusion of cultures and traditions produced the style of artwork we know as the Hellenistic.

Recognizing Greek Art Forms on a Wider World Stage

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What you will learn

• Students will learn the key developments, vocabulary terms, and works of art which are associated with the Hellenistic period and style.
• This course covers a vast geography from Europe through Asia and even down into South Arabia to discover the extent of Greek influence in late antiquity.
• Vocabulary terms to know are included as a final list at the end of the course.

Rating: 4.1

Level: All Levels

Duration: 1 hour

Instructor: Dr. Lily Filson