Classical Athens

Athens (Ancient Greek: Ἀθῆναι, Athênai), was a prominent polis (city-state) of ancient Greece, located in the peninsula of Attica. During the classical period, Athens was a centre for the arts, learning, and philosophy, and is widely referred to as a cradle of Western civilization largely due to the impact of its cultural and political achievements. Athenian democracy was established in 508 BC and remained in place for almost two centuries except for a few brief interruptions.

Ten years after its victory at Marathon, Athens formed an alliance with Sparta and other Greek city-states, which defeated the invading Achaemenid Empire at Salamis and Plataea. In the aftermath of the Second Persian invasion of Greece during the 470s, Athens led by Cimon established hegemony over a wide range of other Greek polities around the Aegean, known as the Delian League, reaching its peak of power in the 450s and 440s BC during the age of Pericles. In the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BC), the Athenian empire fought against the Spartan-led Peloponnesian League, suffering a decisive defeat in 404 BC. Athens soon recovered and founded the Second Athenian League in order to counterbalance the Spartan and Theban hegemonies. After the defeat at the battle of Chaeronea, Athens was forced to become a member of the League of Corinth by Philip II of Macedon, while continuing to be a major maritime power in the Aegean and Eastern up until the start of the Hellenistic period following the death of Alexander the Great.