1. Hellenistic
(323 b.c.- 31 b.c.)

2. What is it?
It relates to Greek history, language, and the culture from Alexander the Great death to the defeat of Cleopatra.
During this time Greek culture flourished spreading through the Mediterranean, Near East and Asia.
Centered mainly in Alexandria, Egypt and Pergamum, Turkey.

3. What is it?
The word “Hellenistic” refers to the expansion of Greek influence and
Some of the best known Greek sculptures are from this time period.

4. Alexander the Great
The defining characteristic of this period is the division of Alexander's empire into smaller empires.
Some of these are:
Ptolemies in Egypt
Seleucids in Mesopotamia, Persia, and Syria
Attalids in Pergamon
In Alexander's entourage there was Lysippus, a sculpture, Apelles, a painter, Pyrgoteles, a gem cutter and engraver.

5. Hellenistic Art Royalty became patrons for great art.
While sculpture, painting, and architecture thrived, vase painting was no longer done.
Much of the popular art was considered sophisticated.

6. Laocoön and His Sons
Time: Unknown but it was discovered in the year 1506.
Place: Rome
Medium: Marble
The statue is 6’7 and it shows the priest Laocoön and his sons being attacked by a sea serpent.
It is considered the “prototypical icon of human agony”

7. Venus de Milo Time: Between 130 and 100 b.c.
Place: Discovered Greek Islands of Milol
Medium: Marble
Artist: Alexandros of Antioch
The statue is 6’8, and it is believed to be depiction of the goddess, Aphrodite.
Originally many people believed Praxiteles was the sculptor.

8. Winged Victory of Samothrace
Time: b.c.
Place: Discovered on the island of Samothrace
Medium: Parian Marble
Artist: Unknown, but it is thought that Pythokritos of Lindos is the original sculptor.
Standing at 8’1, this sculpture is considered one of the greatest masterpiece of Hellenistic sculpture. It's a statue of the goddess, Nike. This is a surviving original Greek sculpture, unlike the other two, which are Roman copies.