The Hellenistic Era

Term Paper # 101523

History > Greek and Roman
History > Religion
Philosophy > Ancient Greek

The Hellenistic Era

An analysis of philosophical and religious syncretism in the Hellenistic Era.

1,334 words () | 3 sources | APA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the syncretistic or homogeneous tenets of Hellenistic religion and philosophy. It looks at how the military expansionism of Alexander the Great's Macedonian armies helped to bring about a greater knowledge of differing belief systems, which allowed greater syncretism between philosophy and religion. It also discusses how, due to the elitist and often exclusionary principles of extremist religious (Pharisees) and philosophical tenets (Aristotle and Plato), the creation of Stoicism and Epicureanism helped unify the divide between these two factions.

From the Paper:

"The greater part of the Hellenistic era is derivative from the invasions of Alexander the Great (356-323 BCE) form his native Macedonia. From about 336 BCE, Alexander the Great had conquered much of the Mediterranean and had a massive influence over the way that people thought about religion and about philosophy. Although Alexander was essentially a Macedonian he was far different from the mainland Greeks in his tolerance for other religious ideals. In many ways, he was able to integrate both aspects of religion and philosophy into a more unified system. "

Sample of Sources Used:

"First Maccabees." 2006. CopticChurch.org. 24 January, 2007. <http://www.copticchurch.org/first_maccabees.htm>
"Fourth Maccabees." 2006. Piney.com. 24 January, 2007. <http://www.piney.com/Apoc4Macc.html>
Seneca. "Epistles." 2006. Stoics.com. 24 January, 2007. <http://www.stoics.com/seneca_epistles_book_1.html>