Hellenistic literature refers to the body of work produced during the Hellenistic period, which lasted from the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE to the rise of the Roman Empire around 30 BCE. This era saw the flourishing of various literary forms, including poetry, prose, and drama, influenced by the spread of Greek culture across the Mediterranean and Near East. Key figures in Hellenistic literature include poets like Theocritus, known for his pastoral poetry, and Callimachus, who contributed to the development of the elegy and epigram. The period also witnessed the emergence of new genres, such as the novel, with works like Chariton's "Callirhoe," reflecting the diverse experiences and ideas of the time.