Greek history spans thousands of years, beginning with the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations around 3000 BCE. These early cultures laid the foundation for the rise of the Classical Greek period, marked by the development of city-states like Athens and Sparta. This era saw significant advancements in philosophy, art, and democracy, with influential figures such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. The decline of Classical Greece led to the rise of the Hellenistic period after the conquests of Alexander the Great. This era spread Greek culture across a vast territory, influencing regions as far as Egypt and India. Eventually, Greece fell under Roman control, but its cultural and intellectual legacy continued to shape Western civilization.