"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.