Western History 26: What were some of the most important Greek City States?

For much of its existence the Greek civilization was dominated by independent city states or polis. These started to rise in prominence after the Grecian Dark Ages (1100-800 BCE) and numbered well into the hundreds. Each city-state had a unique character dictated by both demographics and geography and were governed by disparate systems of political infrastructure. 

Table 6 outlines some of the key city-states and some of their defining historical milestones.

City State	Points of Note
Argos	A powerful rival to Sparta in the Peloponnesian peninsular, Argos has a history going back to Mycenean times. It refused to send forces to fight in the Greco-Persian war resulting in its shunning and its subsequent decline. It was an ineffective ally with Athens during the fight against Sparta.
Athens	The greatest of all Greek city states. Athens dominated the Attica region of Greece and was renowned not only for its democracy but as a centre for art, learning and philosophy. Athens was a seafaring power that used the port of Piraeus as an outlet to the Mediterranean. In antiquity it dominated the Greek mainland through the vehicle of the Delian League. Its influence waned after its loss to Sparta in the Peloponnesian War.
Corinth	Located in the isthmus that joins the Peloponnesian with the Greek mainland, Corinth grew from a backwater to become one of the richest polis as a result of the Isthmian trade route. It was defeated by Athens at Megara in 458 BCE. It sided with Sparta in the Peloponnesian War (431 BCE)  but then broke the alliance to side with Athens in the Corinthian War. It eventually joined forces with Sparta again in 379 BC. The city was later dominated by the Romans who destroyed much of Corinth in 146 BCE.peninsular
Delphi	The site of the Pythia, or the oracles, that Greek tradition credits with the power of prophecy. The oracles were largely priestesses associated with the Temple of Apollo. Delphi was believed to be the centre of the Earth.
Miletus	The greatest of all the Ionian Greek Cities. Miletus is generally credited as the birth place of Western Philosophy. Its grid like city was the archetype model of Roman cities. As a city it was noted for its maritime power and was the centre of the Ionian League’s 499 BCE revolt against the Persians.
Mykenae	Steeped in Ancient history Mykenae was the centre of the early Greek culture that bears its name. The city was destroyed by the Dorians in 1100 BCE. It provided troops that fought against the Persians but struggled with aggression from its neighbour Argos who besieged and destroyed the city in 468 BCE.
Olympia	A sanctuary city located in the region of Elis in the Peloponnese Olympia was the site of the Ancient Olympic Games that were held in honour of Zeus from the 8th century BCE to the 4th century CE. It housed a golden statue of Zeus that was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Rhodes	An island located in the Dodecanese group Rhodes was inhabited as early as the 16th century BCE by the Ancient Minoans.  It was mentioned in Homer’s Illiad and Pindar’s ode as an island born from the union of Helios the sun god and the nymph Rhodes.  The Persians overran the island but were driven out by the Athenians in 478 BCE.  During the Peloponnesian War the island was largely neutral. The various communities on the island joined to form the city state in 408 BCE. It featured prominently in Greek History as a maritime entity where it played a key role in the grain trade.
Sikyon	Sikyon was a city state located in the Northern Peloponnese. A loyal follower of Sparta it backed the latter in their fight against both the Athenians and Corinthians. In 369 BCE however it fell to Theban forces. Sikyon was noted as a centre of art especially sculpture. It experimented with democracy but would later fall under Macedonian control.
Sparta	Also known as Lacedaemon Sparta was Greece’s principal military power and chief rival to Athens. Its strong focus on military training and fighting excellence ensured its vital role in the Greco-Persian Wars and its defeat of Athens in the Peloponnesian War. (which did however prove to be costly). It would eventually be defeated by Thebes at the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BCE in an event that would drastically curtail its hegemony. Sparta was also known for its cultivation of olives and citrus fruits and dominated the Greek region of Laconia. Its Oligarchy system of government contrasted sharply with the Athenian democracy.
Thebes	Located in the central region of Boetia Thebes would dominate Greece after defeating Sparta in 371 BCE.  Initially an ally of Sparta in the Peloponnesian War Thebes would turn against the Spartans in opposition against the proposed expansion policies of the latter. Its strength would continue until its ultimate submission at the hands of the Macedonian king Phillip II.