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Several important cities arose: Athens, Corinth, Sparta and Thebes.  Athens and Corinth were powerful economically, controlling maritime and mercantile trade.  Athens and Sparta were powerful militarily, and were rivals of each other for a long time.

Several important cities arose: Athens, Corinth, Sparta and Thebes.  Athens and Corinth were powerful economically, controlling maritime and mercantile trade.  Athens and Sparta were powerful militarily, and were rivals of each other for a long time.

The large cities dominated the areas around them.  Sparta, for example, exercised influence over the other cities of the Peloponnese (a large island originally that comprised southwest Greece; Athens was not part of the Peloponnese but was located on the mainland).  Sparta was also allied with Corinth and Thebes.  Athens instituted a semi-constitutional system of government run by aristocrats, most notably Pisistratus and his sons.

The large cities dominated the areas around them.  Sparta, for example, exercised influence over the other cities of the Peloponnese, which was the large island in south Greece, connected to the mainland (where Athens was) by only an isthmus (a thin pathway of land).  Sparta was allied with Corinth and Thebes, but was an enemy of Athens.   

Ultimately the Pisistratids lost power, and '''the world's first democracy was established in 500 B.C. in Athens'''  The powerful body became an assembly open to all (male) citizens.

Athens instituted a semi-constitutional system of government run by aristocrats, most notably Pisistratus and his sons. Ultimately the Pisistratids lost power, and '''the world's first democracy was established in 500 B.C. in Athens'''  The powerful body became an assembly open to all (male) citizens.

The city-states were remarkable because they adopted a form of democracy that inspired our Constitution:  citizens elected representatives who would then make decisions for everyone.  But there was only a legislature in Athens and no president or court system, so there was no separation of powers that is unique to our Constitution.  Also, not all Greek males in Athens were citizens.  The city-state of Athens had 225,000 residents at its peak, but only 30% of the males were citizens.  Males born to families with large incomes became citizens.  Still, Athens is considered to have invented "democracy", and its residents felt an allegiance to the State because of this.

The city-states were remarkable because they adopted a form of democracy that inspired our Constitution:  citizens elected representatives who would then make decisions for everyone.  But there was only a legislature in Athens and no president or court system, so there was no separation of powers that is unique to our Constitution.  Also, not all Greek males in Athens were citizens.  The city-state of Athens had 225,000 residents at its peak, but only 30% of the males were citizens.  Males born to families with large incomes became citizens.  Still, Athens is considered to have invented "democracy", and its residents felt an allegiance to the State because of this.