Greece has been at the crossroads of empires, ideas, and faiths for millennia, making it one of the most historically rich destinations in the Mediterranean. To learn the history of Greece is to trace the footsteps of Mycenaean kings, classical philosophers, Olympic athletes, Macedonian royals, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, and Ottomans.
Our guide to historical Greece will help you gain a deeper understanding of the country and its past. If you have any questions as you dive deeper into the history of Greece, feel free to contact us.
Humans have been living in what is now Greece since the Paleolithic period, but it is in the Bronze Age that recognisable cultures begin to emerge. The Mycenaeans built powerful palace‑centres at sites like Mycenae and Tiryns, leaving behind monumental architecture, rich tombs, and Linear B tablets that preserve one of the earliest written forms of Greek.
In the centuries that followed the collapse of the Bronze Age world, communities across the Greek mainland and islands gradually developed into the city‑states (poleis) of the Archaic and Classical periods. Athens, Sparta, Corinth, Thebes and
others each forged their own political systems, military traditions, and cultural achievements, with Athens in particular becoming famous for democracy, drama, philosophy, and architecture.
Sanctuaries like Delphi and Olympia drew visitors from across the Greek world, who came to consult the oracle, compete in the Panhellenic games, and honour the gods with offerings and monumental buildings. These sites helped shape a shared Greek identity that transcended local rivalries, even as city‑states continued to vie for power and influence.
In the Hellenistic period, the conquests of Alexander the Great carried Greek language and culture as far as Egypt, the Near East, and Central Asia, creating a network of cities and kingdoms where Greek ideas mingled with local traditions.
Greece itself then became part of the Roman world, its cities and sanctuaries woven into an empire that extended from Britain to the Middle East. Roman emperors, philosophers, and travellers alike admired Greek learning and art, ensuring that many sanctuaries and theatres remained active and respected.
After the division of the Roman Empire, Greece fell under the authority of the eastern, or Byzantine, Empire, with Constantinople as its capital. Over the centuries, new churches, monasteries, and fortified towns rose alongside (and sometimes atop) ancient temples and theatres, creating a layered landscape where pagan and Christian histories intersected.
Crusaders, Venetians, and other western powers later held various Greek regions, leaving behind castles, coastal fortifications, and Latin churches that still mark the countryside and islands today.
The long period of Ottoman rule that followed brought yet another layer of change, with new religious communities, architectural forms, and administrative structures shaping daily life. At the same time, Greek language, Orthodox faith, and local traditions remained strong, providing a sense of continuity that helped sustain a distinct Greek identity.
In the nineteenth century, the Greek War of Independence led to the establishment of the modern Greek state, with Athens eventually becoming its capital. Over the twentieth century, Greece experienced wars, occupation, civil conflict, and political change, but also urban growth, archaeological discoveries, and a renewed appreciation of both ancient and folk heritage.
Today, Greece is a member of the European Union, and its historical sites—from Bronze Age palaces and classical sanctuaries to Byzantine monasteries and modern memorials—continue to shape how Greeks understand themselves and how visitors experience the country.
With UNESCO World Heritage sites, Bronze Age palaces, classical temples, royal tombs, and medieval fortresses, the history of Greece lives on in its landscapes and cities. Delve deeper into its historic sites with our guides to places such as the Acropolis of Athens, Mycenae, Delphi, Olympia, Knossos, and Vergina, or discover them for yourself on our immersive Greece tours in the company of archaeologist guides.