Shortly after the Trojan War, Greece fell into a period of Dark Age, in which not much information is known. With the return of the written language, and literacy, Greece emerged from the Dark Age into the Archaic period. During this transition, the country saw advancements in political theory, especially the beginnings of democracy, as well as in culture and art. These advancements took place as previously isolated cities came into contact with each other, thus beginning the creation of city-states. This new, complex social organization required the development of an advanced legal structure that ensured the smooth coexistence of different classes and the equality of the citizens no matter their economic status. This political development would serve as a precursor for the Democratic principles that developed two hundred years later in Athens. These states, settlements, and trading posts numbered in the hundreds, and became part of an extensive commercial network that involved all the advanced civilizations of the time. As a consequence, Greece came into contact and aided in the exchange of goods and ideas throughout ancient Africa, Asia, and Europe.
The Classical Period (480-323 BCE):
With remarkable cultural and scientific achievements, the Classical Period had a powerful influence on the Roman Empire and greatly influenced the foundations of the Western Civilization. Much of modern Western politics, artistic thought, such as architecture, scientific thought, literature and philosophy derives from this period.
The city of Athens introduced to the world a direct Democracy the likes of which had never been seen before and would later be emulated in western governments like Great Britain, France, and the USA. The rational approach to exploring and explaining the world as reflected in Classical Art, Philosophy, and Literature of this time became the well-grounded springboard that western culture used to leap forward.
The thinkers of the Classical Greek era have since dominated thought for thousands of years, and have remained relevant to our day. Think, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Also from the classical period came Hippocrates or, the “Father of modern medicine”, whose Hippocratic oath is still used today.
The Hellenistic Period (323-146 BC):
Beginning with the death of Alexander the great in 323 BCE, this period marks the transformation and maturity of Greek society from the localized and introverted city-states to an open, cosmopolitan, and culture that permeated the entire eastern Mediterranean, and Southwest Asia. Instead of the previous preoccupation with the Ideal, Hellenistic art focused on the Real. Depictions of man in both art and literature revolved around exuberant, and often amusing themes that for the most part explored the daily life and the emotional world of humans, gods, and heroes alike. This was a time of growth in areas of learning, literature, and sciences.
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