Greek History:
Ancient Greek history began around the 8th century BC with the rise of city-states like Athens and Sparta. It was a time of great achievements in art, philosophy, and democracy, with figures such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle shaping Western thought. The Greeks fought the Persian Wars in the 5th century BC and later experienced the Golden Age of Athens, which saw advancements in drama, architecture, and science. However, internal conflicts, like the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta, weakened the city-states, eventually leading to their conquest by Macedonia and later the Roman Empire.
Roman History:
Roman history began around 753 BC with the founding of Rome, which grew from a small settlement into a powerful empire. Initially ruled by kings, Rome became a republic in 509 BC, featuring a complex system of government. The Republic expanded through conquest, ultimately enveloping much of Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East. In 27 BC, it transitioned into an empire under Augustus, enjoying a long period of peace known as the Pax Romana, but later faced challenges like invasions, economic troubles, and internal conflicts, leading to its eventual decline and split into the Western and Eastern Roman Empires by the 4th century AD.