\paperw19995 \margr0\margl0 \plain \fs20 \f1 The last phase of Hellenism had Athens as its center. Looking back nostalgically to the classical period, artists now reject
ed all the principles that had inspired Hellenism and, in particular, the ones that had given the schools of Pergamum, Alexandria and Rhodes their originality. The Neo-Attic style turned into an arid and eclectic search for models to imitate, which was d
rawn chiefly from fifth century art. This style was used chiefly in works intended for private collections or the adornment of wealthy homes. In particular, they were commissioned by the Romans who, when unable to get their hands on the originals, had co
pies made, or purchased objects that in some way resembled them. It was out of this imitation that the Roman culture was born; starting out from Hellenistic premises, it went on to develop a dimension of its own.
