Oil painting of Apollo by Rosalba Carriera, 18th century

The mountainous and coastal geography of Greece encouraged the development of city-states in areas where arable land was available. These city-states developed independently, and had their own local government. In addition to the mainland, the ancient Greeks spread across much of the Mediterranean, inhabiting islands and coastlines. The location of Greece and its limited arable land encouraged trade among city-states and with other countries. What began as a barter economy became one based on coin money.

Ancient Greeks used gods and goddesses to explain events in their world. The stories of these gods and goddesses were told through myths that determined Greek culture, politics, and art. In modern times, people still use symbols from Greek mythology to represent concepts and emotions.

Extend Your Learning

If you are fascinated by Greek mythology, find individual stories of the gods and goddesses in a book or on the Internet. As you read the myths, think about how it may have been used to explain difficult questions of the time period, and how it justified the social systems or customs in Ancient Greece.