Block with ceremonial scenes: wrestlers and musicians

myminifactory

The Archaic period in ancient Greek history marked a pivotal era lasting from the eighth century BC to the second Persian invasion of Greece in 480 BC, succeeding the enigmatic Greek Dark Ages and preceding the renowned Classical period. Characterized by an explosive growth in population and profound transformations, this epoch rendered the Greek world at its end virtually unrecognizable compared to its inception. Anthony Snodgrass identifies the Archaic period as bounded by two groundbreaking revolutions that reshaped the Greek landscape. It commenced with a "structural revolution" that redefined the political map of Greece and established the distinctive city-states known as poleis, only to culminate in the intellectual upheaval of the Classical era. During this transformative period, significant advancements unfolded across various domains: politics, economics, international relations, warfare, and culture. The groundwork laid during the Archaic period would serve as a crucial foundation for its illustrious successor, the Classical period, both politically and culturally. It was within this era that the Greek alphabet first emerged, the earliest surviving literary works were composed, monumental sculpture and red-figure pottery began to flourish in Greece, and the hoplite evolved into the core of Greek armies.