Ancient History,diplomatic relation,hellenistic,hellenistic asia,Hellenistic kingdoms,seleucids

Hellenistic Babylon and Seleucid Imperial Ideology

The academic year has started again, so it is time for another guest post. This time Derek from the Hellenistic Age Podcast delves deeper into the connections of the ancient city of Babylon with the Seleucid Dynasty. How did the Seleucid rulers navigate the complexities of Babylonian traditions and local customs? What lessons can we …

Ancient History,Archaeology,art,hellenistic,hellenistic period,Hellenistic Women,History,sculpture,Uncategorized

The Nike of Samothrace

Hellenistic sculptures is perhaps the most famous of the sculptures of the Hellenistic period. Now found at the Louvre, it has been speaking to visitor’s imagination for several centuries now. But where does it come from?   The drama of Nike Where to begin? It has been on prominent display in the Louvre since 1884 and …

Ancient History,Food,godesses,gods,Greek pottery,History,Lifestyle,literary sources

Dionysos: the controversial Athenian Deity

Today’s article by guest blogger Alexis Prescott is all about one of the most interesting of the Greek gods: Dionysos. There is no doubt that he was a popular and well-loved deity from the Greek pantheon. Not least due to the Athenian festival held in his honour – the City Dionysia – in which the …

Ancient History,greek polis,greek politics,hellenistic,hellenistic asia,Hellenistic kingdoms,hellenistic period

Hellenistic cities IV: Pergamon

Today we continue with a new part of our series on Hellenistic cities: Pergamon.  This was an ancient city located in modern-day Turkey, which played a significant role in the political and cultural landscape of the Hellenistic period. The city’s strategic location, powerful rulers, and impressive monuments made it a major player in the Hellenistic …

Ancient History,anyte,hellenistic period,Hellenistic poetry,Hellenistic Women,History,poetry,women

The Greek Anthology of Hellenistic Poetry

Have you ever wondered how we still have poems or histories or stories written thousands of years ago? Were there publishers that long ago? Were there bookstores? How did these works survive? In an earlier blog post, we read a poem by Anyte, a Hellenistic poet writing 2,300 years ago. How is it we have …

Alexander the Great,alexander's campaigns,ancient greece,Ancient History,hellenistic,hellenistic asia,History,war

The Sogdian Revolt against Alexander the Great

As we near the end of the year, we continue our deep dive on different aspects of Alexander the Great’s life. Today’s guest post by Joshua Zapf looks at the troubles Alexander faced during his campaigns in Central Asia, a topic often overlooked public history. Alexander the Great’s military campaign is generally known for its …

Archaeology,artemis,city,godesses,gods,Nature,religion,sparta,women

Blood Thirsty Sparta – The Rituals and Sacrifice to Artemis Orthia

After our very brief visit to the ruins of Sparta in my last post, it is time to see some more of the region! the author of this contribution, Dr. Carla Ionescu, an expert on all things Artemis, takes us into the Spartan wilderness to find the very elusive temple of Artemis Orthia, a local …

ancient greece,Ancient History,Archaeology,city,greece,greek polis,hellenistic cities,Travel

Travels in Greece II: the Southeast of the Peloponnese

In the first part of this series, we have already been introduced to the northern part of the Peloponnese, the peninsula in the south of mainland Greece. Today we continue our journey along the mountains of Arcadia to the wild nature of the Mani region. Starting we do so in a region that is often …

ancient greece,Ancient History,city,diplomatic relation,hellenistic asia,hellenistic period,india,indo-greeks,literary sources,numismatics

The Greek Rajas of Ancient India

Very few people know that approximately 40 years after the death of the famous Cleopatra, a date generally considered to be the end of the Hellenistic period, a Greek king named Strato III still reigned over a small territory in eastern Punjab. He was the last of dozens of rajahs in ancient India descended from …

Alexander the Great,ancient greece,Ancient History,biography,diplomatic relation,greek polis,Hellenistic greece,Hellenistic kingdoms,hellenistic successors,literary sources,References

The Dark Side of Alexander The Great  

When Alexander died in 323 in Babylon, his myth immediately spread throughout the known world. For centuries, the Macedonian king has fascinated rulers, leaders and-the everyday man. The rapidity of his conquests and his young age made him legendary. Many were inspired by him, and even today his personality continues to enchant. Ancient sources tell …