HELLENISM. The term "Hellenism" is ambiguous. It is derived from Gr. iXX iqav, to speak the language of the Greeks, who called themselves "EXXip'er, after Hellen, the son of Deu calion. In late Greek `EX\.rivccrµos means imitation of the Greeks (Septuagint, 2 Macc. iv. 13) . It may be used to denote ancient Greek culture in all its phases. The German historian J. G. Droysen introduced the fashion of using it to describe particu larly the latter phases of Greek culture from the conquests of Alexander to the end of the ancient world, when those over whom this culture extended were largely not Greek in blood; i.e., Hellenes, but peoples who had adopted the Greek speech and way of life, Hellenistai. While using the term in the larger sense, this article will devote its principal attention to Hellenism as it appeared in the world after spread of Greek culture which fol lowed the Macedonian conquests.