Ancient Greece (c. 800–146 BCE) laid the foundations of Western civilization. Greek city-states, particularly Athens and Sparta, developed diverse political systems including the world's first democracy. Greek contributions to philosophy (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle), science (Archimedes, Hippocrates), literature (Homer, Sophocles), and art remain foundational to Western culture. The Olympic Games began in 776 BCE. Alexander the Great's conquests spread Greek culture across the known world (Hellenistic period). Greek ideas about governance, ethics, logic, and aesthetics continue to influence modern thought, while the Greek language contributed extensively to scientific and academic vocabulary.