Who were the people of ancient Greece? The ancient Greeks lived in city-states, called a "polis." Although the people in different Greek cities spoke the same language and had similar religious beliefs, they were often at war with each other! The city of Athens on the Greek mainland is one of the most famous. The people who lived there were called Athenians. In addition to being one of the most powerful Greek city-states and governed by an early form of democracy, Athens was also a center for learning and the arts.
People represented in Greek Art Greek artists focused upon creating the "ideal" human being. They explored people's experiences, interactions with the natural world, and human relations to the gods. Everyday people were repesented in Greek art, and we also find famous people:
Rulers	Heroes	Athletes
Learn more about Greek athletes in the "Gathering Greek Gear game."