Which political system existed in each civilization of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East during the Hellenistic period? Autocracy Patriarchy Democracy Feudalism

The correct answer is Autocracy.<br /><br />During the Hellenistic period, the political system that existed in the civilizations of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East was primarily autocracy. Autocracy is a form of government in which a single individual holds absolute power and authority, without any checks or balances from other governing bodies or institutions.<br /><br />In the Hellenistic period, the major civilizations of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, such as the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt, the Seleucid Empire in Mesopotamia, and the Maurya Empire in India, were ruled by powerful monarchs who held absolute power. These monarchs, often referred to as Hellenistic kings, had complete control over the administration, military, and foreign policy of their respective territories.<br /><br />The other options, such as patriarchy, democracy, and feudalism, do not accurately describe the political systems that existed in the Hellenistic civilizations. Patriarchy refers to a social and cultural system in which men hold primary power and dominate roles of political leadership, but it is not a specific political system. Democracy, which involves the participation of the people in decision-making, was not a prevalent political system in the Hellenistic period. Feudalism, characterized by a hierarchical system of land ownership and obligations, also does not accurately describe the political structures of the Hellenistic civilizations.<br /><br />Therefore, the correct answer is Autocracy, as it best represents the political system that existed in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East during the Hellenistic period.