In the late 5th century, the Peloponnesian Wars between Athens and
Sparta caused turmoil throughout the Greek world. After the surrender
of the Athenians, democracy was restored. Meanwhile, in Sicily and
Italy a conflict was being played out between the Carthaginians and
the Greeks of the region. By the end of the 5th century the
Carthaginians and their main adversary, the Syracusans, arrived at a
truce.
During the 4th century Athens, Sparta and Thebes vied for
political dominance of Greece. Peace was finally established when
Sparta, backed by Persia, won control. In the second half of the 4th
century, a divided Greece and the decline of the polis gave rise to
the powerful Macedonian state under Philip II and his son, Alexander
the Great. After bringing all of the eastern world to the continent
of India under his control, Alexander died in Babylon at the age of
32 (323 BC). By the time of his death Hellenism had reached much of
the known world and the Classical period was over.
Attic Red Figure Kylix ca. 460 BC
By the Painter of Bologna 417
Vulci, Etruria
MS 2440
This drinking vessel bears a scene of a young Athenian saluting a
head of Hermes on a pillar. Hermes´ kerykeion, or herald´s
staff, appears on the shaft of the herm and a dedicatory wreath
adorns the arm strut.
H. 8.6; Dia. 22.0 cm. Photo by Maria Daniels for the Perseus Project
(66k)
