Hellenistic literature

Hellenistic literature refers to the body of works produced after Alexander the Great's conquests, roughly from the 4th to 1st centuries BCE. This era saw a blend of Greek culture with influences from the Near East and Egypt. Key features include a focus on personal feelings, more diverse genres, and the use of everyday language. Prominent writers included poets like Callimachus and Theocritus, who explored themes of love and nature, and philosophers like Epicurus, who wrote about ethics and happiness. This literature reflects the complexities of a multicultural world and laid the groundwork for later Western literature.