Greek city-states
In about 2000B.C. one of the first Greek civilizations arose on the island of (Crete). This civilization became known as the ασημαντoς πoλιτισμoς.
In about 1750B.C. ασημαντoς was at the hight of it's power. This civilization is most famous for there sport ταuρoς πηoαω (bull jumping).
This civilization flourished until about 1470 B.C. when a volcano destroys the Κρητη civilization.
Most city-states began in the Archaic Period, in about 750B.C. Over time, there came two main city-states. The first one, AΘηνα (Athens) was probably the most important. AΘηνα was the center of trade in Eλλαoα (Greece). Athens was the first civilization to use the system of oημokρατια to choose there ruler, or, as it is called today, democrocy. Athens also encouraged learning, but didn't give a free education (school was for wealthy boys, girls couldn't go to school). Perhaps this is why Athens is the home to most Greek philosophers (someone who studies philosopy, or the study of truth, knowledge, and reason) such as Σωkρατης (Socrates), who taught Πλατω (Plato), who taught Aρiota;στoτλeta; (Aristotle). Athens was known for worshiping Aθηνα (Athena) goddess of wisdom.
The civilization Σπαρτα (Sparta), on the other hand, wasn't very dedicated to learning. They were a war-like city-state. When a baby was born in sparta, it must pass a test of physical fitness. If it passes, it gets to live, if not, it will be killed or will become a slave.
If the child does pass the test, school will be very difficult. Although it's free, it is not what most modern nations consider legal. If you pass, you are assigned a spouse, and men are sent off to war.
Because Sparta was a war city-state, they worshiped the war god Aρης.
--Noz92 22:52, 12 Jan 2005 (UTC)