600-400 BC Archaic and Classical

During the 6th century BC the number of city-states (poleis) and colonies increased. City-states consisted of a few thousand people often governed by hereditary rulers or by so-called tyrants (rulers who took power by force). By around 500 BC a new system of government was developed in Athens – democracy (meaning ‘rule by the people’). Some cities adopted this new system, though not all. Sparta, for example was ruled by a council of two kings and 28 elders.

Many cities grew rich, and Greek art and architecture became increasingly sophisticated. The 5th century was the ‘golden age’ of Athens in the arts, philosophy and sciences. Her powerful fleet and commercial success led to the creation of an empire stretching from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea. Athenian wealth enabled one of the biggest public building projects ever seen in Greece, during which the Parthenon was built.

However, the region was also dominated by warfare. From 490-480 BC the city-states came together and successfully prevented the attempted Persian invasion. Later however, political rivalry between Athens and Sparta led to the start of the Peloponnesian Wars in 439 BC. In 404 BC Athens lost her navy to Sparta and her empire went into decline.