Ancient Greece is regarded by many as the cradle of civilization in Europe. But unlike Rome and other civilizations that followed, it did not consist of one centrally controlled empire.

Early Greek civilizations were greatly influenced by nearby Egypt and sumaria. The first of these civilizations was the Minoan. On the island Crete, which flourished between 2000 - 1400 BC.

On the Greek mainland, from 1600 - 1100 BC, the most powerful civilization was the Mycenian.

In 8th century BC, a number of cities developed each developing links and influences from the other. The center of every Greek town was very much the same. Built on hills for defense, the civic and religious buildings were close together as they are the center of Greek society.

Although Greek city's acted independently, one of the few times they've worked together was in the Trojan wars 1184 BC.

The Mycenian king Agamemnom united the Greeks against...