Classical Greece to Macedonian Empire

The period between the 6th and 4th centuries BC marked significant prosperity for Greek city-states.
The victory over the Persians during the Persian Wars spurred economic growth and cultural innovation.
Advancements were observed in architecture, military organization, philosophy, mathematics, and natural sciences.
City-states exhibited diverse governance: Spartans were governed by an aristocracy, while Athenians developed the first known democracy.

Historians denote a 400-year span from Homer to Aristotle as classical Greece, a time rich in artistic and philosophical advancements.
This period established foundational art styles and philosophical concepts that influenced future Western culture.
The golden age began to decline in the late 4th century BC due to internal power struggles among Athens, Sparta, and Thebes.

Power struggles among Greek city-states weakened the region's stability.
The rising Macedonians capitalized on this weakness, led by Philip II and later his son, Alexander the Great.
The Macedonian empire expanded its influence, conquering Greece and extending its reach into North Africa, the Middle East, and India.

Between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE, Greek city-states (polis) experienced a period of economic prosperity and cultural development.
The Greek victory against Persian invasions during the Persian Wars marked the beginning of significant cultural and creative advancements.
Innovations spanned architecture, military organization, philosophy, mathematics, and natural sciences.
Political structures varied among city-states; Sparta was governed by an aristocracy, while Athens established a form of democracy allowing citizen participation.
The era from Homer to Aristotle was crucial, producing foundational ideas and artistic styles influencing future cultures.
Major city-states contributing to this cultural flourishing included Corinth, Thebes, Mileto, Sparta, and notably Athens.
The rise of these city-states began to decline in the late 4th century BCE due to power struggles and rivalries among key polis like Athens, Sparta, and Thebes.
This weakened state was exploited by the Macedonians, initially under King Philip II and later by his son, Alexander the Great.
Macedonian conquests aimed to extend control into North Africa, the Near East, and distant regions of India.
The symbol of prosperity, the cornucopia, originates from 5th century BCE Greece, representing abundance, depicted as a goat's horn filled with fruits and flowers.
The cornucopia became associated with various deities linked to harvest and prosperity, such as Gea (Earth goddess) and Fortuna (goddess of fortune).