Frequently cited as a land that birthed civilization and culture as we know it, the impact of ancient Greece on the world cannot be overstated. Its flourishing city-states laid the creative foundations for much of the literature, drama, art, and architecture we enjoy today, while advances in governance and law have shaped the development of democracy. This lively volume chronicles the major events and achievements of this dynamic society and profiles some of its most notable figures. Numerous maps, illustrations, and sidebars transport the reader to the ancient, awe-inspiring past of the Hellenic Republic.