Ancient Greece was a civilization that existed in the Mediterranean region from around the 9th century BCE to the 4th century BCE. It was known for its advancements in fields such as philosophy, art, architecture, literature, politics, and science. The ancient Greeks are credited with laying the foundation for Western civilization and making significant contributions to human knowledge and culture. Research in this area often focuses on topics such as Greek mythology, democracy, the Olympics, the Peloponnesian War, and the lives and works of famous figures such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Alexander the Great.