Ancient Greece

Ancient Greece is associated with the glorious periods of Greek history included in Classical Antiquity which lasted from 750 BC to 146 BC. Ancient Greece shaped the culture of the ancient times and it laid the foundation of western civilization.

The Roman Empire had been greatly influenced by Greek culture, which again further influenced the culture of the other parts of the European continent. The ancient Greek civilization has also greatly influenced the politics, language, philosophy, educational bodies, arts and science and ignited the oncoming of the Renaissance period in the western part of Europe which resurged once more during the different neo-Classical periods during 18th and 19th centuries in Europe and in America.

There is no specific date for the starting or ending of the glorious ancient Greek period. Commonly this historic period is related to the entire historical era prior to the beginning of the Roman Empire. Ancient Greece is considered to be coinciding with the first Olympic Games during the 776 BC although some historians stretch this period to around 1000 BC.

But, we can say that the period was at its peak during the 323 BC. The period that followed after the ancient Greek period and prior to the beginning of the Roman Empire is known as Hellenistic. But few writers also extend the ancient civilization of Greece up to the arrival of Christianity during the 3rd century. The political writers and the Greek historians whose notable works are still influencing the people of today would include Thucydides, Xenophon, Herodotus, Aristotle, Plato and Demosthenes.

The Greeks are considered to be the migrants who moved south in the Balkan Peninsula in different phases of time. The migration process began from the 3rd millennium BC and ended with the invasion of the Dorians. The Proto-Greek period is believed to have lasted from the 23rd to the 17th century BC. The era from 1100 BC to 8th century BC is regarded as a "Dark Age". Unfortunately, no important historical document has been found from this period other than little archaeological proofs.