<P> Hellenistic culture was at its height of world influence in the Hellenistic period . Hellenism or at least Philhellenism reached most regions on the frontiers of the Hellenistic kingdoms . Though some of these regions were not ruled by Greeks or even Greek speaking elites, certain Hellenistic influences can be seen in the historical record and material culture of these regions . Other regions had established contact with Greek colonies before this period, and simply saw a continued process of Hellenization and intermixing . </P> <P> Before the Hellenistic period, Greek colonies had been established on the coast of the Crimean and Taman peninsulas . The Bosporan Kingdom was a multi-ethnic kingdom of Greek city states and local tribal peoples such as the Maeotians, Thracians, Crimean Scythians and Cimmerians under the Spartocid dynasty (438--110 BC). The Spartocids were a hellenized Thracian family from Panticapaeum . The Bosporans had long lasting trade contacts with the Scythian peoples of the Pontic - Caspian steppe, and Hellenistic influence can be seen in the Scythian settlements of the Crimea, such as in the Scythian Neapolis . Scythian pressure on the Bosporan kingdom under Paerisades V led to its eventual vassalage under the Pontic king Mithradates VI for protection, c. 107 BC . It later became a Roman client state . Other Scythians on the steppes of Central Asia came into contact with Hellenistic culture through the Greeks of Bactria . Many Scythian elites purchased Greek products and some Scythian art shows Greek influences . At least some Scythians seem to have become Hellenized, because we know of conflicts between the elites of the Scythian kingdom over the adoption of Greek ways . These Hellenized Scythians were known as the "young Scythians". The peoples around Pontic Olbia, known as the Callipidae, were intermixed and Hellenized Greco - Scythians . </P> <P> The Greek colonies on the west coast of the Black sea, such as Istros, Tomi and Callatis traded with the Thracian Getae who occupied modern - day Dobruja . From the 6th century BC on, the multiethnic people in this region gradually intermixed with each other, creating a Greco - Getic populace . Numismatic evidence shows that Hellenic influence penetrated further inland . Getae in Wallachia and Moldavia coined Getic tetradrachms, Getic imitations of Macedonian coinage . </P> <P> The ancient Georgian kingdoms had trade relations with the Greek city - states on the Black Sea coast such as Poti and Sukhumi . The kingdom of Colchis, which later became a Roman client state, received Hellenistic influences from the Black Sea Greek colonies . </P>

Why did ptolemaic egypt last the longest of the hellenistic kingdoms