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Olympic Games | History, Locations, & Winners | Britannica
The Olympic Games, like almost all Greek games, were an intrinsic part of a religious festival. They were held in honor of Zeus at Olympia by ...
ancient Greece
The Olympic Games are an athletic festival that originated in <anchor>ancient Greece</anchor> and were revived in the late 19th century. They are the world’s foremost sports competition and include athletes from all over the world.
Ancient Greek civilization | History, Map, Culture, Politics, Religion, Achievements, & Facts | Britannica
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[ancient Greek civilization](https://www.britannica.com/place/ancient-Greece)

Table of Contents


- [Introduction & Top Questions](/place/ancient-Greece)

- [The early Archaic period](/place/ancient-Greece#ref26479)



- [The post-Mycenaean period and Lefkandi](/place/ancient-Greece#ref26480)

- [Colonization and city-state formation](/place/ancient-Greece#ref26481)

  - [The Olympic Games](/place/ancient-Greece/The-Olympic-Games)

  - [Overseas projects](/place/ancient-Greece/The-Olympic-Games#ref261064)

  - [The beginnings of the polis](/place/ancient-Greece/The-Olympic-Games#ref261065)

- [Early Archaic Greek civilization](/place/ancient-Greece/Early-Archaic-Greek-civilization)

  - [The sources](/place/ancient-Greece/Early-Archaic-Greek-civilization#ref26483)

  - [Society and values](/place/ancient-Greece/Early-Archaic-Greek-civilization#ref26484)

    - [Bacchiadae and Eupatridae](/place/ancient-Greece/Early-Archaic-Greek-civilization#ref261066)

    - [Symposia and gymnasia](/place/ancient-Greece/Early-Archaic-Greek-civilization#ref261067)

    - [Formal relationships](/place/ancient-Greece/Early-Archaic-Greek-civilization#ref261068)

    - [The Lelantine War](/place/ancient-Greece/Early-Archaic-Greek-civilization#ref261069)

- [The later Archaic periods](/place/ancient-Greece/The-later-Archaic-periods)



- [The rise of the tyrants](/place/ancient-Greece/The-later-Archaic-periods#ref26486)

  - [The decline of the aristocracy](/place/ancient-Greece/The-later-Archaic-periods#ref261111)

  - [Changes in warfare](/place/ancient-Greece/The-later-Archaic-periods#ref261112)

  - [The early tyrannies](/place/ancient-Greece/The-later-Archaic-periods#ref261113)

- [Sparta and Athens](/place/ancient-Greece/Sparta-and-Athens)

  - [Sparta](/place/ancient-Greece/Sparta-and-Athens#ref261115)

    - [The distinctiveness of Sparta](/place/ancient-Greece/Sparta-and-Athens#ref261116)

    - [The Rhetra](/place/ancient-Greece/Sparta-and-Athens#ref261117)

    - [The helot factor](/place/ancient-Greece/Sparta-and-Athens#ref261118)

    - [The Peloponnesian League](/place/ancient-Greece/Sparta-and-Athens#ref261119)

  - [Athens](/place/ancient-Greece/Athens)

    - [The distinctiveness of Athens](/place/ancient-Greece/Athens#ref261121)

    - [Solon](/place/ancient-Greece/Solon)

    - [The Peisistratid tyranny](/place/ancient-Greece/Solon#ref26490)

    - [The reforms of Cleisthenes](/place/ancient-Greece/The-reforms-of-Cleisthenes)

- [The world of the tyrants](/place/ancient-Greece/The-world-of-the-tyrants)

  - [Intermarriage between the great houses](/place/ancient-Greece/The-world-of-the-tyrants#ref261122)

  - [Poetry and art](/place/ancient-Greece/The-world-of-the-tyrants#ref261123)

  - [International influences](/place/ancient-Greece/The-world-of-the-tyrants#ref261124)

- [Classical Greek civilization](/place/ancient-Greece/Classical-Greek-civilization)



- [The Persian Wars](/place/ancient-Greece/Classical-Greek-civilization#ref26494)

  - [The Ionian revolt](/place/ancient-Greece/Classical-Greek-civilization#ref26495)

  - [Causes of the Persian Wars](/place/ancient-Greece/Classical-Greek-civilization#ref261131)

    - [Economic factors](/place/ancient-Greece/Classical-Greek-civilization#ref261132)

    - [Political factors](/place/ancient-Greece/Classical-Greek-civilization#ref261133)

  - [Athenian support of Ionia](/place/ancient-Greece/Athenian-support-of-Ionia)

  - [The position of Sparta](/place/ancient-Greece/Athenian-support-of-Ionia#ref26496)

    - [Sparta’s foreign relations](/place/ancient-Greece/Athenian-support-of-Ionia#ref261135)

    - [The role of Cleomenes](/place/ancient-Greece/Athenian-support-of-Ionia#ref261136)

  - [The Battle of Marathon](/place/ancient-Greece/The-Battle-of-Marathon)

  - [The administration of democracy](/place/ancient-Greece/The-Battle-of-Marathon#ref26498)

    - [The appointment of archons](/place/ancient-Greece/The-Battle-of-Marathon#ref261137)

    - [The system of ostracism](/place/ancient-Greece/The-Battle-of-Marathon#ref261138)

  - [The last Persian Wars](/place/ancient-Greece/The-last-Persian-Wars)

    - [Greek preparations for war](/place/ancient-Greece/The-last-Persian-Wars#ref261139)

    - [Greek alliances](/place/ancient-Greece/The-last-Persian-Wars#ref261140)

    - [Thermopylae](/place/ancient-Greece/The-last-Persian-Wars#ref261141)

    - [Salamis](/place/ancient-Greece/The-last-Persian-Wars#ref261142)

    - [Plataea](/place/ancient-Greece/The-last-Persian-Wars#ref261143)

- [The Athenian empire](/place/ancient-Greece/The-Athenian-empire)

  - [Emerging Athenian independence](/place/ancient-Greece/The-Athenian-empire#ref261081)

    - [The fortification of Athens](/place/ancient-Greece/The-Athenian-empire#ref261082)

    - [The ambition of Pausanias](/place/ancient-Greece/The-Athenian-empire#ref261083)

  - [The Delian League](/place/ancient-Greece/The-Athenian-empire#ref26503)

    - [Paying tribute to Athens](/place/ancient-Greece/The-Athenian-empire#ref261084)

    - [Strains on Greek unity](/place/ancient-Greece/The-Athenian-empire#ref261085)

  - [Mounting Athenian aggression](/place/ancient-Greece/Mounting-Athenian-aggression)

    - [Cimon’s actions](/place/ancient-Greece/Mounting-Athenian-aggression#ref261086)

    - [Athens’s moves against other Greeks](/place/ancient-Greece/Mounting-Athenian-aggression#ref261087)

    - [Athens’s moves northward](/place/ancient-Greece/Mounting-Athenian-aggression#ref261088)

    - [Sparta’s responses](/place/ancient-Greece/Mounting-Athenian-aggression#ref261089)

  - [The reforms of Ephialtes](/place/ancient-Greece/The-reforms-of-Ephialtes)

    - [Legal reforms](/place/ancient-Greece/The-reforms-of-Ephialtes#ref261090)

    - [Political reforms](/place/ancient-Greece/The-reforms-of-Ephialtes#ref261091)

    - [The rejection of Cimon](/place/ancient-Greece/The-reforms-of-Ephialtes#ref261092)

  - [Athenian expansion](/place/ancient-Greece/The-reforms-of-Ephialtes#ref261093)

    - [Friction between Athens and Corinth](/place/ancient-Greece/The-reforms-of-Ephialtes#ref261094)

    - [The subjugation of Aegina](/place/ancient-Greece/The-reforms-of-Ephialtes#ref261095)

    - [The scale of Athenian ambition](/place/ancient-Greece/The-reforms-of-Ephialtes#ref261096)

    - [Sparta’s resistance](/place/ancient-Greece/The-reforms-of-Ephialtes#ref261097)

    - [Peace with Persia](/place/ancient-Greece/The-reforms-of-Ephialtes#ref261098)

  - [Revolts of Athens’s tributary states](/place/ancient-Greece/Revolts-of-Athenss-tributary-states)

    - [Economic sources of resentment](/place/ancient-Greece/Revolts-of-Athenss-tributary-states#ref261100)

    - [Political and legal sources of resentment](/place/ancient-Greece/Revolts-of-Athenss-tributary-states#ref261101)

    - [The Euboean revolt](/place/ancient-Greece/Revolts-of-Athenss-tributary-states#ref261102)

  - [Greek communities in Italy and Sicily](/place/ancient-Greece/Revolts-of-Athenss-tributary-states#ref26507)

- [The Peloponnesian War](/place/ancient-Greece/The-Peloponnesian-War)

  - [Causes](/place/ancient-Greece/The-Peloponnesian-War#ref26509)

  - [The initial phase, 431–425](/place/ancient-Greece/The-Peloponnesian-War#ref26510)

    - [Pericles](/place/ancient-Greece/The-Peloponnesian-War#ref261070)

    - [Sparta’s role](/place/ancient-Greece/The-Peloponnesian-War#ref261071)

    - [Continuing strife](/place/ancient-Greece/The-Peloponnesian-War#ref261072)

    - [Mytilene and Plataea](/place/ancient-Greece/Mytilene-and-Plataea)

    - [Speculation and unease](/place/ancient-Greece/Mytilene-and-Plataea#ref261074)

  - [The years 425–421](/place/ancient-Greece/Mytilene-and-Plataea#ref26511)

    - [Spartan calls for peace](/place/ancient-Greece/Mytilene-and-Plataea#ref261075)

    - [Cleon’s influence](/place/ancient-Greece/Mytilene-and-Plataea#ref261076)

    - [Spartan recovery](/place/ancient-Greece/Mytilene-and-Plataea#ref261077)

  - [Athenian aggression outside the Peloponnese](/place/ancient-Greece/Athenian-aggression-outside-the-Peloponnese)

    - [Entanglement with Persia](/place/ancient-Greece/Athenian-aggression-outside-the-Peloponnese#ref261078)

    - [Harsh treatment of Melos](/place/ancient-Greece/Athenian-aggression-outside-the-Peloponnese#ref261079)

    - [The Sicilian disaster](/place/ancient-Greece/Athenian-aggression-outside-the-Peloponnese#ref261080)

  - [The second phase of the war, 413–404](/place/ancient-Greece/Athenian-aggression-outside-the-Peloponnese#ref26515)

- [Greek civilization in the 5th century](/place/ancient-Greece/Greek-civilization-in-the-5th-century)

  - [Intellectual achievements](/place/ancient-Greece/Greek-civilization-in-the-5th-century#ref261053)

    - [The effect of the Persian Wars on philosophy](/place/ancient-Greece/Greek-civilization-in-the-5th-century#ref261054)

    - [The rise of democracy](/place/ancient-Greece/Greek-civilization-in-the-5th-century#ref261055)

    - [Hippocrates and the fluidity of genres](/place/ancient-Greece/Greek-civilization-in-the-5th-century#ref261056)

    - [Greek tragedy](/place/ancient-Greece/Greek-tragedy)

  - [The liturgy system](/place/ancient-Greece/Greek-tragedy#ref261058)

  - [The roles of slaves and women](/place/ancient-Greece/Greek-tragedy#ref261059)

    - [Slaves](/place/ancient-Greece/Greek-tragedy#ref261060)

    - [Women](/place/ancient-Greece/Greek-tragedy#ref261061)

  - [Military technology](/place/ancient-Greece/Greek-tragedy#ref261062)

- [The 4th century](/place/ancient-Greece/The-4th-century)



- [To the King’s Peace (386 bce)](/place/ancient-Greece/The-4th-century#ref26520)

  - [Dionysius I of Syracuse](/place/ancient-Greece/The-4th-century#ref261103)

  - [The Corinthian War](/place/ancient-Greece/The-Corinthian-War)

  - [The King’s Peace](/place/ancient-Greece/The-Corinthian-War#ref261105)

- [From 386 bce to the decline of Sparta](/place/ancient-Greece/From-386-bce-to-the-decline-of-Sparta)

  - [Spartan adventures](/place/ancient-Greece/From-386-bce-to-the-decline-of-Sparta#ref261106)

  - [The Second Athenian Confederacy](/place/ancient-Greece/From-386-bce-to-the-decline-of-Sparta#ref261107)

  - [Theban expansion](/place/ancient-Greece/Theban-expansion)

  - [Athens and Thebes](/place/ancient-Greece/Theban-expansion#ref261109)

- [The rise of Macedon](/place/ancient-Greece/The-rise-of-Macedon)

- [Macedonian supremacy in Greece](/place/ancient-Greece/The-rise-of-Macedon#ref261110)

- [Alexander the Great](/place/ancient-Greece/Alexander-the-Great)

  - [Alexander and the Greeks](/place/ancient-Greece/Alexander-the-Great#ref26527)

  - [Alexander in Egypt](/place/ancient-Greece/Alexander-in-Egypt)

  - [To the Persian Gates](/place/ancient-Greece/Alexander-in-Egypt#ref26529)

  - [The conquest of Bactria and the Indus valley](/place/ancient-Greece/Alexander-in-Egypt#ref26530)

  - [The final phase](/place/ancient-Greece/Alexander-in-Egypt#ref26531)

- [Greek civilization in the 4th century](/place/ancient-Greece/Greek-civilization-in-the-4th-century)

  - [Historical writings](/place/ancient-Greece/Greek-civilization-in-the-4th-century#ref26533)

  - [Architecture and sculpture](/place/ancient-Greece/Greek-civilization-in-the-4th-century#ref26534)

  - [Social and commercial exchanges](/place/ancient-Greece/Greek-civilization-in-the-4th-century#ref26535)

  - [Organized settlements](/place/ancient-Greece/Greek-civilization-in-the-4th-century#ref26536)

- [Conclusion](/place/ancient-Greece/Conclusion)


[References & Edit History](https://www.britannica.com/place/ancient-Greece/additional-info) [Quick Facts & Related Topics](/facts/ancient-Greece)

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Contents


[Geography & Travel](/browse/Geography-Travel)[Historical Places](/browse/Historical-Places)

# ancient Greek civilization

historical region, Eurasia



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Written by


[Simon Hornblower\
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Professor of Classics and Ancient History, University of Oxford.](/contributor/Simon-Hornblower/3823)

Simon Hornblower

Fact-checked by

[The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica\
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Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.](/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419)

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated:

Aug 13, 2024
• [Article History](https://www.britannica.com/place/ancient-Greece/additional-info#history)


Table of Contents


[![Athens: Acropolis](https://cdn.britannica.com/53/150953-050-2E0836EB/Parthenon-Acropolis-Athens.jpg?w=400&h=300&c=crop)](https://cdn.britannica.com/53/150953-050-2E0836EB/Parthenon-Acropolis-Athens.jpg)

Athens: Acropolis

[See all media](https://www.britannica.com/place/ancient-Greece/images-videos)

Date: 1200 BCE - 323_(Show more)_

Major Events: [Hellenistic age](/event/Hellenistic-Age)[Greco-Persian Wars](/event/Greco-Persian-Wars)[Peloponnesian War](/event/Peloponnesian-War)[Classical antiquity](/event/Classical-antiquity)[Battle of Thermopylae](/event/Battle-of-Thermopylae-Greek-history-480-BC)_(Show more)_

Key People: [Aristotle](/biography/Aristotle)[Socrates](/biography/Socrates)[Plato](/biography/Plato)[Euripides](/biography/Euripides)[Pericles](/biography/Pericles-Athenian-statesman)_(Show more)_

Related Topics: [Olympic Games](/sports/Olympic-Games)[Greek philosophy](/topic/Greek-philosophy)[Greek religion](/topic/Greek-religion)[Neoclassical art](/art/Neoclassicism)[Greek mythology](/topic/Greek-mythology)_(Show more)_

Related Places: [Turkey](/place/Turkey)[Italy](/place/Italy)[Greece](/place/Greece)[Athens](/place/Athens)[Sparta](/place/Sparta)_(Show more)_

[See all related content →](/facts/ancient-Greece)

Top Questions


### Is ancient Greece a country?

No, ancient Greece was a civilization. The Greeks had cultural traits, a [religion](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Greek-religion), and a [language](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Greek-language) in common, though they spoke many dialects. The basic political unit was the [city-state](https://www.britannica.com/topic/city-state). Conflict between city-states was common, but they were capable of banding together against a common enemy, as they did during the [Persian Wars](https://www.britannica.com/event/Greco-Persian-Wars) (492–449 BCE). Powerful city-states such as [Athens](https://www.britannica.com/place/Athens) and [Sparta](https://www.britannica.com/place/Sparta) exerted influence beyond their borders but never controlled the entire Greek-speaking world.

### Where was ancient Greece located?

Ancient Greek civilization was concentrated in what is today [Greece](https://www.britannica.com/place/Greece) and along the western coast of [Turkey](https://www.britannica.com/place/Turkey). However, ancient Greek colonists established cities all around the [Mediterranean](https://www.britannica.com/place/Mediterranean-Sea) and along the coast of the [Black Sea](https://www.britannica.com/place/Black-Sea).

### Was ancient Greece a democracy?

Each ancient Greek city-state had its own government. Common forms of government included [tyranny](https://www.britannica.com/topic/tyranny) and [oligarchy](https://www.britannica.com/topic/oligarchy). In 507 BCE, under the leadership of [Cleisthenes](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cleisthenes-of-Athens), the citizens of Athens began to develop a system of popular rule that they called [democracy](https://www.britannica.com/topic/democracy), which would last nearly two centuries. In their governing body, the Assembly ( [Ecclesia](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ecclesia-ancient-Greek-assembly)), all adult male citizens, perhaps 10 to 15 percent of the total population, were eligible to vote.

### When did ancient Greece start and end?

Ancient Greek civilization flourished from the period following [Mycenaean](https://www.britannica.com/place/Mycenae) civilization, which ended about 1200 BCE, to the death of [Alexander the Great](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-the-Great), in 323 BCE. By that time, Greek cultural influence had spread around the Mediterranean and, through Alexander the Great’s campaign of conquest, as far afield as India.

### Why is ancient Greece important?

The political, philosophical, artistic, and scientific achievements of ancient Greek civilization formed a legacy with unparalleled influence on Western civilization. Greek political ideas have influenced modern forms of government, [Greek pottery](https://www.britannica.com/art/Greek-pottery) and sculpture have inspired artists for millennia, and [Greek epic, lyric, and dramatic poetry](https://www.britannica.com/art/Greek-literature) is still read around the world.

**ancient Greek civilization**, the period following Mycenaean civilization, which ended about 1200 bce, to the death of Alexander the Great, in 323 bce. It was a period of political, philosophical, artistic, and scientific achievements that formed a legacy with unparalleled influence. The larger historical period spanning from the output of ancient Greek author Homer in the 8th century bce to the decline of the Roman Empire in the 5th century ce is known as "Classical antiquity," encompassing Greco-Roman culture, playing a major role in the Mediterranean sphere of influence and in the creation of Western civilization, and shaping areas as ...(100 of 64077 words)

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