- The development of philosophy. Greek philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle developed ideas about the nature of the universe, human nature, and ethics that would profoundly influence Western thought.
- The creation of democracy. The ancient Greek city-state of Athens was the birthplace of democracy, a system of government in which all citizens have a voice.
- The arts and literature. The Greeks were masters of art, literature, and drama. They created some of the most beautiful and enduring works of art and literature in history, such as the Parthenon, the Iliad and the Odyssey, and the plays of Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes.