Culture & Thought

Defining what a witch is has been a complex and evolving task throughout history.

The Hellenistic period was not just an age of literary innovation but also one of profound philosophical development.

To truly appreciate Hellenistic literature, it helps to understand the physical object at its heart: the Hellenistic book roll.

One of the most characteristic genres of the Hellenistic period was didactic poetry: the art of turning a technical or scientific subject into a literary work.

The world of Hellenistic poetry was a competitive, scholarly environment where poets were deeply engaged with the literary past and with each other.

While the Hellenistic literary world was dominated by male authors, it was also an era that saw the notable emergence of several influential women poets.

In the intellectual crucible of Hellenistic Alexandria, the lines between creative writing and academic work began to blur.

The incredible flowering of literature and science in the Hellenistic period would not have been possible without one crucial ingredient: royal patronage.

While much of the high literature of the Hellenistic period was produced for an educated elite, there was also a vibrant world of popular entertainment that catered to a broader audience.

While poetry often takes the spotlight in discussions of Hellenistic literature, the period also saw the crucial development of early prose fiction.

While much Hellenistic poetry is known for its refinement and elegance, the era also saw the continuation of a much older and more aggressive genre: iambic poetry.

The Hellenistic period was not only a golden age for poetry and scholarship but also an era of unprecedented scientific advancement.