The culture, ideas, and way of life of ancient Greece, especially as it spread to other parts of the world after Alexander the Great's conquests.
From Hellene (Greek: Ἕλλην), the ancient Greek name for Greeks, plus -ism (a doctrine or practice). The term emerged in the 19th century to describe the historical period and cultural influence of Greek civilization.
Hellenism shaped Western civilization so deeply that we still use Greek words in science, philosophy, and medicine—even when we don't realize it. When Alexander conquered from Greece to Egypt to India, he didn't just spread armies; he spread gymnasiums, Greek language, and the love of philosophy that transformed those entire regions.
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