The Ancient Greeks were a region of related peoples who all lived in separate cities. For much of the time these cities were at war with one another. Each city developed independently and was famous for a different thing. For example Sparta was famous for turning its people into soldiers. Athens was famous for democracy and its great scientists and thinkers.

Every four years the cities challenged one another to a great sporting contest at Olympia – the Olympic Games.

The Ancient Greeks developed styles of building and many other things, including our language, which have lasted down the ages.

Towards the end of Ancient Greek times the Greeks all came together under Alexander the Great, who marched east with his army to capture Persia and the lands to India. He also captured the Egyptian Empire and much of North Africa. At this time the Ancient Greeks had the largest empire the world had ever seen. Alexander was killed at Babylon in the Middle East, and the power of the Greeks was reduced. Soon they were replaced by the Romans.