Greek civilization developed between about 800 and 500 B.C. The ancient Greeks settled in independent communities called city-states. The city-states were never united politically, and the people were divided into various groups. However, the Greeks were tied together by a common culture and language.<NP> The first democratic governments were established in the Greek city-states. Neither slaves nor women could vote, but more people took part in government in Greece than in any earlier civilization.<NP> Greek architects constructed masterpieces of classical beauty. The Greeks also produced lasting works of art, literature, drama, history, and philosophy. Greek scientists made great advances in mathematics, medicine, physics, botany, and zoology.
