The Hellenistic League was a political and military alliance formed in the 3rd century BCE, primarily among the Greek city-states. It aimed to unify these states against external threats, particularly from the rising power of the Macedonian Empire under Philip II and his son, Alexander the Great. The league facilitated cooperation and collective defense among its members. The league was characterized by its loose structure, allowing member states to maintain their autonomy while collaborating on common goals. It played a significant role in the spread of Hellenistic culture across the Mediterranean and Near East following the conquests of Alexander the Great.