The archaic and classical period of Greece represents a fascinating chapter in Western history with its political and intellectual innovations. A highlight is the Athenian democracy in the 5th century BC, whose cultural achievements became groundbreaking. However, this era of brilliance was also accompanied by social conflicts and military confrontations, which repeatedly led to suffering and misery, but also to a deeper engagement with human existence. This overview work traces the key historical stages from the age of Homer to the defeat of the Greeks by the Macedonians (approximately 750-338 BC). It follows fundamental processes such as the emergence of the polis and political thought, as well as explaining essential features of Greek society and culture.