City-States (Poleis)

City-states, or poleis, were independent, self-governing cities that emerged in ancient Greece. Each polis, such as Athens or Sparta, had its own government, laws, and customs, functioning like a small nation. They often included surrounding countryside and shared cultural practices, such as language and religion. The political and social structures varied widely, with some emphasizing democracy and others oligarchy or monarchy. City-states were crucial in the development of Western civilization, fostering ideas in philosophy, art, and politics, and they often competed or allied with one another in wars or trade.