Each city-state in ancient Greece had its own form of government. Some, like Athens, experimented with democracy. Some, like Sparta, were ruled by a small group of leaders. Most Greek city-states, like Argos, were ruled by a king.
The Ancient Greek City-State of Argos
The ancient city-state of Argos was built on a plain near a harbor. It was very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. The soil was poor. The people of the city-state of Argos had trouble growing crops. So, they became leaders in trade. Because they traded with other Greek city-states, they invented their own coinage. This invention made trading a lot easier.
Like all the Greek city-states (except for Sparta), the people of the city-state of Argos built sculptures of athletes with perfect bodies and huge muscles. They wrote plays. They wrote poetry. Their musicians performed in the open air arenas. They loved the arts. They were very good at them.
Perseus, a prince who became a hero
Perseus, Andromeda, and the sea god, Poseidon
King Eury (for short) and the 12 Labors of Hercules
QUIZ: Ancient Greek City-States, Government (Interactive with answers)

Explore Ancient Greece
For Kids: Overview
Early Greece: Minoans, Mycenaeans, Dorians
Rise of Greek City-States
- On Land: Greek Warriors
- At Sea: Greek Ships
- Trojan War
- Persian Wars
- The Delian League
- Peloponnesian War
- Alexander the Great
- The League of Corinth
Investigate Real Life Artifacts
For Kids: Art, Culture, Government
Greek Columns and Architecture
For Kids: Daily Life
For Kids: Greek Mythology
Ancient Greek Gods & Goddesses
Ancient Greek Myths for Kids
- Zeus, Hera, and Little Io
- The Competition, Athena and Poseidon
- Theseus, the Minotaur, and the Maze
- Dionysus and Ariadne
- Icarus and Daedalus, Wings
- The 12 Labors of Hercules
- Demeter and Persephone, Reason for the Seasons
- Apollo's Oracle at Delphi
- Perseus, Andromeda, and the sea god, Poseidon
- King Midas and the Donkey Ears
- And Many More
From the Case Files of the Hercules Detective Agency: Learn more about the gods and Greek daily life
- The Misunderstood Minotaur - How Hercules made a best friend
- The Scaredly Fish
- The Tricked Bully
- The Stone Zoo
- The Bad Barber
- The Constant Chatterbox
- The Monster Under the Bridge
- The Festival Arrow
- The Amazing Matchmaker
- And many more!
For Kids: People
For Kids: Interactive Quizzes
Alexander the Great &
Gifts from the Greeks
For Teachers
For Kids and Teachers: Other Ancient Civilizations
See Also: Early Humans for Kids and Teachers