Athens, Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic

The most famous polis in ancient Greece, Athens developed complex social, administrative, and political structures starting from the Archaic period; it rose to prominence during the fifth century, but was eventually defeated by Sparta. Despite frequent conflicts and financial troubles, during the fourth century the Athenian democracy reached its most developed form. Frequently caught in the struggles between Alexander's successors, Athens was not a protagonist of the Hellenistic period but managed to attract the favor of major external powers, enjoying long-lasting fame as a cultural hub with a glorious past.