The ancient Greek civilization flourished around the Aegean Sea. It is generally divided into several periods: the Minoan civilization, the Mycenaean civilization, the Dark Ages, the Archaic Period, the Classical Period and the Hellenistic Period.
    古希腊文明在爱琴海周边繁荣发展，大致分为几个时期：米诺斯文明、迈锡尼文明、黑暗时代、古风时期、古典时期以及希腊化时期。
    Geographically, Greece is composed of mountainous peninsulas and numerous islands. Limited farmland pushed ancient Greeks to develop overseas trade and colonization.
    从地理上看，希腊由多山的半岛和众多岛屿构成。有限的耕地促使古希腊人发展海外贸易与殖民活动。
    The basic political unit of ancient Greece was the city‑state (polis). Famous city‑states included Athens and Sparta. Different city‑states had different political systems.
    古希腊的基本政治单位是城邦（polis），著名城邦有雅典和斯巴达。各个城邦拥有不同的政治体制。
    Athens established democracy in the Classical Age. Citizens enjoyed political rights, but women, slaves and foreigners were excluded from political life.
    古典时代的雅典确立民主制度。公民享有政治权利，但妇女、奴隶和外邦人被排除在政治生活之外。
    Sparta was a militaristic state. Its society was built for military conquest and defense.
    斯巴达是军国主义城邦，整个社会服务于军事征服与防卫。
    The Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War greatly shaped Greek history. Later, Alexander the Great conquered Greece and launched eastward expeditions, bringing Greek culture to the Middle East.
    希波战争与伯罗奔尼撒战争深刻塑造了希腊历史。之后亚历山大大帝征服希腊，率军东征，将希腊文化传播到中东地区。