In the society of Ancient Greece, the polis, or the city-state, was perhaps the most distinctive and important political innovation at the time. Emerging around the 8th century BC, this institution became the fundamental aspect of the ancient Greek civilization. Defining Greek life for centuries, the polis was not merely a city, but a distinct socio-political entity. Its emergence and development were closely connected with the traditional social structures of the time, the economy, and the landscape of Greece. And, as such, it shaped the development of Greek identity, politics, and culture. But more importantly, the polis laid the foundations for major political concepts that shaped the governance of the time, such as democracy, civic participation, and citizenship. What made the polis so successful and influential? And what was its ultimate fate? Read moreSection: NewsGeneralHistory & ArchaeologyAncient PlacesEuropeHistoryAncient TraditionsPremiumPreviewRead Later