What were the continuities between HELLENIC and HELLENISTIC civilizations; What were the discontinuities? .?

Answer 1

Okay first you have to look at what were the hellenic civilisations or major Greek civilisations - ie Macedonia, Athens etc.

These city states established colonies or, in the case of Macedonia, took over and re-established their own cultures - in this sense the off spring were Hellenistic civilisations. Alexander the Great's Generals - although they were Macedonian, took over and proclaimed themselves kings in Egypt, Syria, Mesopatamia.

What were the continuities? Well they brought with them Macedonian laws, culture, political institutions, customs, Greek language, some religious beliefs. Trade between Greece and the new conquerors would have flourised.

What were the discontinuities? For any offspring of Greek civilisation to be successful, it had to adapt to local cultures. For example, when Macedonian general Ptolemy became King of Egypt - it would be very hard for his successors to maintain Macedonian cultures and customs without alienating the Egyption people. An example of this is that Alexander the Great adopted the Egyptian God and took the title of Pharoah - insisting that he was a continuation, not a deviation, from the old.

That Greek civilisation was able to adapt to new cultures - while continuing to exist in a completely different society so well makes it one of the most successful civilisations in history.
Hellenisation of non-Greek cultures.

Answer 2

Hellenic means Greek. Hellenistic means Macedonian.

Answer 3

"Hellenic" refers to Greece. "Hellenistic" refers to the areas conquored by Alexander the Great, chiefly Persia.

The Greek language was largely confined to Greece, except that it was used in Alexandria, spread west to Rome, and was important around the eastern Mediterranean in general. Babylonia and the other former Persian areas never really accepted the language.

The Romans respected the Greeks quite highly and adopted many aspects of their culture; however, they weren't too enthusiastic about democracy.