As a coastal city-state, Corinth had a glorious history as a cultural and trade center. Corinth was a monarchy. The people were ruled by a king. The king had many advisors. Together, Corinth's government solved many problems that face cities today. 

For example, Corinth had a problem with unemployment. To solve this, they created a huge and successful public works program. This gave people work, like building new aqueducts, while solving other city problems, such as the need for an additional source of drinking water.  

To solve the problem of foreign money pouring into their polis, the government of Corinth created its own coinage. They forced traders to exchange their coins for Corinth's coinage at the bank of Corinth, for a fee of course. Corinthians were very good with money.

Although Corinth's schools were not as fine, perhaps, as those of Athens, their boys were educated in the arts and the sciences. As a child, kids were taught at home. From age 7-14, boys attended a nearby day school, where they studied poetry, drama, public speaking, accounting, reading, writing, math, science, and the flute. Boys attended a higher school if their parents could afford it. All boys went to military school for at least two years. 

Literature, culture, art, and businesses thrived in Corinth. Corinth was a highly respected city-state in the ancient Greek world.