The interaction between pagan and Christian motifs as reflected on the Hellenistic sculpture in the eastern Mediterranean

Abstract EN

-Around 330 B.C.

The armies of Alexander the Great, (356 B.C.

- 323 B.C.), overran the Greek city-states around the Aegean and brought the Classical Greek period to an end.

Alexander's armies marched on to conquer the Persian Empire (modern Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan), as well as Syria, parts of Arabia, and Egypt.

Within a period of about ten years he ended up with an empire that encompassed western Asia all the way to India.

This event marked the beginning of a new pan-Greek era called the Hellenistic period.

Hellenistic means "Greek-like" (remember the Greeks called themselves Hellenes).

It's pan-Greek because Alexander carried Greek language, ideas, and arts to the lands he conquered..

With the rise of Christianity in the Hellenistic words many of the themes and motifs continued to be used on sculpture but with new concepts and representations reflecting the new faith.

This article will focus on Hellenistic sculpture and the talented artists who succeeded to keep their art in a way that would please.