Hellenistic Literature
Even though there was a lot
of literary production during the Hellenistic Era,
there were no famous masterpieces
produced. Literature of the time period was
intended to amuse the reader instead
of educating him. However, one notable
piece of literature includes the "New Comedy," with
Menander (340-291 B.C.),
which was developed in Athens. The "New Comedy"
consisted of more than 100
plays.
One noted poet of the
time period includes the Sicilian Theocritus. Theocritus
resided in Alexanderia under
Ptolemy II. He devoted a lot of his time to writing
"mimes" which were brief skits
where several actors mimicked characters of every-
day life. Mimes were very popular
during the Hellenistic Age. Much of the literature
of the time period were amusing
pieces.