"Western civilization" owes a great deal to the achievements of ancient Greece. They achieved much in the fields of government, architecture, and math—but what role did this intellectual work play in ancient Greek society? How did geography influence the politics of the Greek city-states? What's the difference between an agora and an acropolis? This book takes readers into the past, when independent city-states ruled the Mediterranean Sea, to find the answers. Full-color photographs and maps complement the curriculum-supporting text, which is written at a lower level for struggling readers and those in need of review.