The Hellenistic Kingdoms: Greek Culture after Alexander

The History of Greece: Philosophy, Empire, and Endless Reinvention — Fexingo History · Apr 29, 2026 · 5m · transcript

After Alexander the Great's death in 323 BCE, his empire splintered into rival kingdoms ruled by his generals, the Diadochi. This episode explores the Hellenistic period that followed, focusing on the Seleucid Empire in the east, the Ptolemaic Kingdom in Egypt, and the Antigonid dynasty in Macedon. We discuss how Greek culture spread across the Near East, from the founding of cities like Antioch and Alexandria to the fusion of Greek and local traditions. Key figures include Seleucus I Nicator, who built a sprawling empire from Anatolia to India; Ptolemy I Soter, who established a Greek…