The death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC begins the Hellenistic period and covers 300 years until the invasion of Egypt by the Romans. The word Hellenic refers only to the Greeks, but the term Hellenistic refers to the Greek-influenced groups that arose following Alexander's conquest. The Hellenistic world stretched from Greece to Afghanistan and began the mass diffusion of Greek culture. Three reasons Hellenism influenced the ancient world are Alexander the Great, Macedonian expansion, and Hellenistic culture itself. Alexander the Great was known for being one of the most intelligent and brilliant military minds in history. He was born in the year 356 BC in Pella, which is located in the center of ancient Macedonia. Alexander was the son of Philip II, king of Macedonia, and Olympias, princess of nearby Epirus. His father, Philip, sought out and hired the well-known philosopher Aristotle, who educated and taught him. At the age of 16 his father left the country with his army to invade Thrace...