---
title: Map of the Greek City-states c. 500 BCE
author: Simeon Netchev
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14624/map-of-the-greek-city-states-c-500-bce/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)
updated: 2025-08-29
---

# Map of the Greek City-states c. 500 BCE

_Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_

## Image File

[![Map of the Greek City-states c. 500 BCE](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14624.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14624.png)

## Image Caption

This map illustrates the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/)-states of Classical [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/) around 500 BCE, highlighting the rise of the [polis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Polis/) system and the growing reach of [Hellenic](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/) influence along the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/) and Black Sea coasts. The period saw [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/) and [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/) emerge as dominant powers, shaping the political and military balance of the [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) world and laying the groundwork for collective resistance to external threats, most notably the [Persian Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Persian_Empire/).

Following the [Persian Wars](https://www.worldhistory.org/Persian_Wars/) (499–449 BCE), Athens spearheaded the creation of the [Delian League](https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian_League/) (established in 478 BCE) as a defensive alliance against [Persia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Persia/). Originally a coalition of independent [poleis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Polis/) contributing ships, men, or tribute, the league quickly evolved into a vehicle of Athenian hegemony, with its treasury moved from [Delos](https://www.worldhistory.org/delos/) to Athens in 454 BCE. Under the leadership of statesmen such as [Pericles](https://www.worldhistory.org/pericles/) (reign after 461 BCE), Athens converted this alliance into an [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) that projected Greek naval power across the [Aegean](https://www.worldhistory.org/aegean/). While fostering prosperity and cultural achievement in Athens, this dominance also sowed resentment among other poleis, setting the stage for the rivalries and conflicts that defined the Classical age.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Netchev, S. (2021, September 15). Map of the Greek City-states c. 500 BCE. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14624/map-of-the-greek-city-states-c-500-bce/>
### Chicago
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Greek City-states c. 500 BCE." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 15, 2021. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14624/map-of-the-greek-city-states-c-500-bce/>.
### MLA
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Greek City-states c. 500 BCE." *World History Encyclopedia*, 15 Sep 2021, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14624/map-of-the-greek-city-states-c-500-bce/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 15 September 2021. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.