The Hellenistic period, which lasted from the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC to the conquest of Egypt by Rome in 30 BC, was a time of great change and innovation in Greek religion. During this period, Greek religion evolved and adapted in response to the new cultural and political landscape that emerged in the wake of Alexander's conquests.
One of the most significant changes to Greek religion during the Hellenistic period was the spread of Greek culture and religion throughout the Mediterranean world. As the Greek city-states and kingdoms expanded, they brought their gods, cults, and religious practices with them, leading to the spread of Greek religion to places like Egypt, Palestine, and Asia Minor.
At the same time, the Hellenistic period also saw the rise of new religious movements and cults, such as the mystery religions and the cult of Dionysus. These new religious movements offered alternative ways of experiencing and expressing the divine, and often appealed to people who were looking for something different from the traditional religion of the city-states.
Another important change to Greek religion during the Hellenistic period was the increased role of the individual in religious practice. In the classical period, religion had largely been a communal affair, with the city-state playing a central role in the worship of the gods. However, during the Hellenistic period, there was a growing emphasis on personal piety and individual devotion to the gods. This shift was reflected in the proliferation of personal dedications and votive offerings made by individuals at temples and sanctuaries throughout the Mediterranean world.
Finally, the Hellenistic period also saw the rise of syncretism, or the blending of different religious traditions and practices. As Greek religion came into contact with the religions of other cultures, elements of these religions were often incorporated into Greek religious practice. This process of syncretism was particularly evident in the cult of Dionysus, which incorporated elements of Egyptian, Asian, and Anatolian religions, and in the spread of the mystery religions, which borrowed heavily from Egyptian and Near Eastern traditions.
Overall, the Hellenistic period was a time of great change and innovation in Greek religion. The spread of Greek culture, the rise of new religious movements, the increased emphasis on personal piety, and the process of syncretism all contributed to the transformation of Greek religion during this period.