The Ancient Greeks Zenith

The Greeks were at their height during the sixth and fifth centuries BC and really begin to emerge from the mists of story into real history. These centuries saw the emergence of Greek philosophy and science with the Pre-Socratics and the development of a realistic art style seen in both sculpture and pottery. Sparta opted for a monarchy and Athens  introduce anew system called  democracy. But there were challenges too, not only the rivalry of the different city states but the ever encroaching might of the Persian Empire. With their lands invaded in both 490 and 480 could the Greek experiment even survive?