The Greek-speaking peoples of Greece and the Aegean have, over the past two centuries or so, developed one of the most brilliant civilizations the world has ever known.
Well over a hundred small city-states now cover the area, many of which have sent out colonies far and wide across the Mediterranean. Political life in these Greek states, by now mostly republics, is frequently unstable and sometimes violent, but they allow a degree of freedom unknown in other lands. It is this above all else that gives rise to the brilliant intellectual achievements of Greek civilization.
The Greek cities of Asia Minor have in the past two decades fallen under the dominion of the mighty Persian empire.
Related Articles:
Ancient Greece Homepage
Expansion and Change
The Revolution of Art and Ideas
Athens and Sparta
The Persian Wars
Related Timelines:
Timeline of European History
Timeline of Middle East History
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