Demosthenes, Roman copy of a 3rd-century BC bronze statue of the Greek orator; 23.2 cm.

Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of John W. Straus in honor of David Mitten, 2005.116.

Following the conquest of the Persian Empire by Alexander, Greek culture spread across Egypt, the Near East, and northern India, interacting with local traditions. The art of the Hellenistic period (323-31 BC) reflects the complex, even contradictory, experiences of living in this expanded world. Hellenistic artists explored the human condition in sculptural form and created intense psychological portraits of public figures. Royal courts set the taste for luxury vessels and jewelry, often emulating Eastern models.