Classical Greece: The Golden Age of Athens and Sparta
From the Persian Wars to the death of Alexander the Great, Classical Greece gave the world democracy, philosophy and theatre. Explore the battles, leaders and turning points of Greece's golden age.
Key Events of Classical Greece
The Story of Classical Greece
Classical Greece was the age that gave the world democracy, philosophy, theatre and some of its most famous battles. It began with the Greek victories over the Persian Empire at Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis and Plataea, which saved Greece from conquest and launched Athens into its golden age. Under Pericles, Athens built the Parthenon, led the Delian League and became the center of art, drama and learning, home to Socrates, Plato and the great playwrights. Its rivalry with Sparta ended in the long Peloponnesian War, which left Athens defeated and the Greek world exhausted. In the decades that followed, Sparta and then Thebes held power, until Philip II of Macedon defeated the Greek cities at Chaeronea in 338 BC. His son, Alexander the Great, then conquered the Persian Empire and carried Greek culture as far as Egypt and India. The era ended with Alexander's death in 323 BC, but its ideas still shape the modern world.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Classical Greece?
Classical Greece is usually dated from around 500 BC, with the Persian Wars, to the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC.
Why is Classical Greece important?
It produced Athenian democracy, the Parthenon, Greek tragedy and comedy, and the philosophy of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, which still shape Western culture.
What were the main wars of Classical Greece?
The Greco-Persian Wars, the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta, the Corinthian War, and Alexander the Great's conquest of the Persian Empire.
Who were the most powerful cities in Classical Greece?
Athens and Sparta dominated most of the era, followed by a brief period of Theban power, before Macedon under Philip II took control.
How did Classical Greece end?
After Philip II's victory at Chaeronea in 338 BC, Macedon controlled Greece. Alexander's death in 323 BC began the Hellenistic period.
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