Features of the Hellenistic culture of ancient Sudan

Abstract

The article examines the main features and specificity of the formation of the Hellenistic culture in ancient Sudan. To assess the nature of the Hellenistic influence on the culture of Meroe, the author analyzes the characteristic features of the region's architecture, reliefs of temple complexes, painting and decoration of walls, items of minor art, jewelry, which had been obtained during archaeological excavations. The author explores the ways of penetration of Greek culture directly and through Egypt, as a result of which the Hellenistic culture of Meroe becomes the result of the syncretisation of Hellenistic Egypt and local forms. The borrowing had a specific nature, most of the Hellenistic elements were re-interpreted, transplanted into the Meroe and adapted to the local culture. The processes of transformation of images created through the syncretization of Egyptian Hellenistic images with local culture gave rise to a special form of Sudanese Hellenism, in which the Meroitic reading is traced in the concept, form and style. Such processes of combining local features with images that came from Egypt were typical for the entire history of contacts between these two Nile civilizations, the nature of the interaction as a whole was subjected to uniform laws, giving rise to a unique form of Hellenism in Meroe.