Cultural connections with the classical Greek and Hellenistic world remained virtually unchanged 359-323 BC Duiker & Spielvogel, 2011, p. 96). The cultural imprint during Alexander's conquest left this cultural legacy well beyond the Hellenistic era and its reigns (Duiker & Spielvogel, 2011, pp. 96-97). Hellenism (or Hellenization): Official and unofficial promotion of supposed Greek ideals in the organization of personal life and civic achievement. The parallel is that the characteristics of civilization were very evident and it is a common trend of civilization based on urban focus, new political and military structures, a new social structure based on economic power, the development of greater complexity in the material sense, a distinct religious structure, development of writings, new and significant artistic and intellectual activities (Duiker & Spielvogel, 2011, p. 7). In the twelve years during the conquest, Alexander dominated lands from west of the Nile to east of the Indus and brought the Persian Empire, Egypt, and much of the Middle East under his control, creating the foundation for the Hellenistic world. Each of these cultures, despite being Hellenistic, spread; the influences of local society customs and Alexander's death became the springboard for change in each area, especially because there was no clear political power (Duiker & Spielvogel, 2011, pp. 96-99). The Romans enter; The rise of Roman civilization was phenomenal, practically a rebirth of Greek civilization as the Romans borrowed heavily from the Greeks and other cultures as well (instructor notes). The difference was in the government, while the Greeks trusted and invested in the Polis, the Romans had another vision of government... middle of paper ......elements that cause pain (Duiker & Spielvogel, 2011, p. 43 -44). Buddhism also differed from Hinduism in rejecting the outcome of Karma, rather Nirvana placed you on the ladder of life in accordance with your behavior in this life (McNeill & McNeill, 2003, p. 64). Buddhism is considered much simpler than Hinduism and Buddhism. it does not have the magnificent or impressive array of gods like Hinduism. Buddhists see Buddhism to some extent more as a philosophy than a religion (Duiker & Spielvogel, 2011, p. 45-46), (McNeill & McNeill, 2003, p. 63-64). Works CitedDuiker, W., & Spielvogel, J. (2011). The essential world history (sixth ed.). Boston, Massachusetts: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.McNeill, J., & McNeill, W. (2003). The human network: a bird's eye view of world history (first ed.). New York and London: W. W. Norton and Company.