Greece

Greece's history stretches back millennia, serving as the birthplace of Western civilization and democracy. Ancient Greece was not a unified nation but a collection of independent city-states, each with its own governance and culture. The rise of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC marked a period of Greek dominance and cultural expansion across a vast empire. Following centuries of Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman rule, Greece achieved independence in 1821 after a protracted war. Modern Greece has navigated periods of political instability and economic challenges, while remaining a vital member of the European Union.