Ancient Greece, located in southeastern Europe, is a fascinating civilization that flourished from the 8th century BCE to the 4th century BCE. It is renowned for its influential contributions to art, culture, philosophy, and politics. The Greek world consisted of various city-states, each with its own distinct identity and government. Two prominent city-states were Athens and Sparta.

Geographical Location Ancient Greece encompassed the Balkan Peninsula and numerous islands in the Aegean Sea. This strategic location provided Greeks with opportunities for trade, colonization, and interactions with other cultures.

Timeline Ancient Greece can be divided into three main periods: the Archaic Period (800 BCE-500 BCE), the Classical Period (500 BCE-323 BCE), and the Hellenistic Period (323 BCE-30 BCE). During the Archaic Period, Greek city-states began to emerge and established trade networks. The Classical Period is known for the development of democracy in Athens and the flourishing of arts and sciences. The Hellenistic Period witnessed the conquests of Alexander the Great and the spread of Greek culture throughout the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond.

Major City-States Athens, the birthplace of democracy, was renowned for its intellectual pursuits and achievements. It fostered great thinkers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Sparta, on the other hand, was a militaristic city-state where discipline and strength were highly valued. Their societies and governments differed significantly, reflecting the diversity within Ancient Greece.