It didn't. The Macedonian/Greek upper class maintained Hellenic culture, and the ruled mostly continued their own culture.
Greek culture and influence spread throughout the Mediterranean region, which was a result of the conquests of Alexander the Great. The term Hellenistic comes from the word "Hellas," which means Greece in Greek. The Hellenistic period lasted from the death of Alexander in 323 BCE to the establishment of the Roman Empire in 31 BCE. During this time, Greek language, art, philosophy, and science had a lasting impact on the societies that came under Greek rule.
Hellenistic religion is any of the various systems of beliefs and practices of the people who lived under the influence of ancient Greek culture during the Hellenistic period and the Roman Empire (c. 300 BCE to 300 CE).
The Hellenistic era, which began after Alexander the Great's conquests, reflected his intentions to spread Greek culture and foster a cosmopolitan society across the regions he conquered. However, it diverged from his vision in that it led to the fragmentation of his empire into several Hellenistic kingdoms, each pursuing its own interests and cultural adaptations rather than a unified empire under a single ruler. Additionally, while Alexander aimed to blend cultures, the resulting kingdoms often emphasized local traditions, creating a mosaic of cultures rather than a cohesive Greek identity.
We use the word Hellenistic (like Greek = Hellenic) to describe the type of culture under Alexander the Great.
Hellenistic culture was a time of scientific and artistic advancement in Greece. Hellenism began when Alexander the Great united Greece, Asia and the Middle East under his rule. This unification brought trade and knowledge to Greece.
The Hellenstic world was made up of the kingdoms which were carved out of Alexander the Great's empire by his generals after he died. The main ones of these which endured were Egypt under Ptolemy and his successors, Syria-Mesopotamia under Seleucis and his successors, and Pergamon under Attalus and his successors, each of whom established Hellenistic (Greek-style) culture amongst the upper classes of their kingdoms.
Alexander was of the HELLENIC culture, that is Greek culture. When he conquered Egypt, the Persian Empire, and parts of the Indian sub-continent, he did not just bring soldiers, he brought Greek culture as well so what happened was the cultures of Egypt and Greece, Persia and Greece, and the Indina states he conquered and Greece, fused together to become what is now known as HELLENISTIC culture. This was one of Alexander's agenda, to create a new society of Greco-Egyptians, Greco-Persians and Greco-Indians. When Alexander died and the Empire divided by his generals, Hellenistic culture reached it's peak. Many Hellenistic kingdoms emerged, Ptolemic Egypt, The Selucid Empire, the Greco-Bactrian kingdoms on where Afghanistan is now, Indian states with Greek influences and many more. This Hellenistic culture endured until around when Agustus, Emperor of Rome, conquered Egypt and the Parthians, or Sassanids (I forgot which one) conquered the former Persian Empire under the Greeks
Greek... In Greek the world Hellenic literally means Greek, so the age refers to the age which Greek culture and language spread rapidly under Alexander the Great...but in the days of Alexander they spoke Ancient Greek
Philip of Macedonia significantly influenced society by unifying the fragmented city-states of Greece under Macedonian rule, which laid the groundwork for the eventual rise of the Hellenistic era. His military innovations and strategies, such as the use of the phalanx formation, transformed warfare and set a precedent for future military leaders. Additionally, his patronage of the arts and culture fostered a sense of shared Hellenic identity, which promoted trade and cultural exchange. Ultimately, his establishment of a powerful Macedonian kingdom facilitated the spread of Greek culture and ideas throughout the region, profoundly impacting societies beyond Greece.
One of the factors that defined the Hellenistic period was the decreased importance of Greece proper (the territory of modern Greece) with an increase of importance on Hellenistic "culture" in the various foreign colonies. In fact, the centers of Hellenistic culture during the period were not even in Greece, they were, respectively, Alexandria, in Egypt, Antioch, in Syria and Pergamum in Anatolia (modern day Turkey). The term "Hellenistic", by the way, refers to the spreading of Greek culture over the non-Greek peoples that were conquered by Alexander the Great. Hellenistic culture can best be described as a mixture of Greek culture and the cultures they dominated (i.e.: Near Eastern culture). The four main dynasties that came out of the Hellenistic period, post-Alexander the Great, were the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt based at Alexandria; The Antigonid dynasty in Macedon and central Greece; the Attalid dynasty in Anatolia based at Pergamum and the Seleucid dynasty in Syria and Mesopotamia based at Antioch.Hellenistic art perfected the art of "sculpture in the round", meaning sculpture that can be viewed from all sides. Some of the more famous pieces of Hellenistic art are Laocoon, the Venus de Milo and the Gaul Killing His Wife. The Hellenistic period saw the export of Greek art all over the Mediterranean and North Africa, which really solidified and codified the Greek tradition. The Hellenistic period began with the conquest and colonization of foreign lands to be brought under the mantle of Greek control, and grew to be a tribute oriented amalgam of Greek culture and those who were being dominated. It was a period of Imperialism, militarism, and increased wealth and trade for those who lived in the Hellenistic empire. The period can be defined as a time when disparate cultures found a (sometimes forced) commonality of culture and purpose though the traditions of Hellenistic conquerors.
When Alexander the Great grew up, he aspired to expand his father's empire and spread Greek culture throughout the known world. Influenced by his education under Aristotle, he aimed to achieve greatness through military conquest and the unification of diverse peoples under his rule. His vision included not just territorial expansion, but also the promotion of Hellenistic culture and ideas. Ultimately, he sought to be remembered as one of history's greatest leaders.
The Hellenistic era, which followed Alexander the Great's conquests, reflected his intentions of cultural fusion and the spread of Greek culture across the vast territories he conquered. However, it diverged from his vision in that it led to the fragmentation of his empire into rival successor states, each interpreting Greek culture in their own way and often prioritizing local traditions. While Alexander sought to unify his empire under a single Hellenistic identity, the subsequent political divisions and cultural adaptations resulted in a more diverse and complex cultural landscape. This era ultimately showcased both the enduring influence of Alexander's legacy and the challenges of maintaining a cohesive empire.