The archaic period in Greece is the period during which the ancient Greek city-states developed, and is normally taken to cover roughly the 9th century to the 6th century BCE.

The Archaic period followed the dark ages, and saw significant advancements in political theory, and the rise of democracy, philosophy, theatre, poetry, as well as the revitalisation of the written language (which had been lost during the dark ages).

The period takes its name from what, in art history, was considered the archaic or old-fashioned style of sculpture and other works of art/craft that were characteristic of this time — as opposed to the more natural look of work made in the following Classical period (see Classical sculpture).

8th Century Revolution

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During the Archaic Period (8th century - 6th century), new political structures started to be formed. As the Greek population grew, the "oikos" or households of Kings, which dominated the political structure of the Dark Ages, started to transform into what is referred to as the "polis" or city-state.

External links

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• Archaic period: society, economy, politics, culture — The Foundation of the Hellenic World
• The Archaic Period of Greek Art – Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia
• Ancient Greece: The Archaic Period — by Richard Hooker

Ancient Greece

Archaik | Époque archaïque | Graecia Archaica | Archaïsche periode | Arkaisk tidsperiode