Athens
The most Educated and prosperous city.
Very Educated and Intelligent.
Athenians taught in a way like no other city did, by teaching (usually boys only) with three teachers, one for teaching reading, writing and arithmetic, one for sports and another for singing and teaching how to play the Lyre, the then-guitar.
Locations and Expanding.
Athens is located North-East of Sparta, another big city-state, and Athens colonized around and spread it's culture all around Greece. This is why a lot of city-states were Democratic in ancient Greece.
Some Activists in that time:
Solon
Solon was a Noble at around 594 B.C., and at that time farmers continued to sell themselves into slavery because they owed the Nobles currency. Solon didn't think this was fair and he freed those slaves, cancelled all the farmers debt, and even allowed male citizens to participate in the assembly and law courts. This helped shape the Athenian Democracy and Solon saved the government for good.
Peisistratus
Solon eventually couldn't handle his role in the government, so a Tyrant by the name of Peisistratus seized power in 560 B.C. He won the support of citizens by dividing wealthy land among poor, landless farmers. He loaned money to the poor and gave them jobs either in the government or building temples or other religious buildings.
Cleisthenes
After Peisistratus died, the next leader of the people was named Cleisthenes. He came to power in 508 B.C. and reorganized the assembly to play the central role in the government. Now, members had new powers. They could debate matters openly, hear court cases, and appoint army generals. And also now the council was made up of 500 citizens to help the assembly carry out daily business.
Athens Tech and Trade.
Technological Advances.
Athens prospered in society and advanced in education, culture, and technology. Athenians, although not liking to go to war, had lots of precious metals (including iron). These metals were not used for weapons, though. Athenians used lots of tools and even traded some of their metals away.
Athenian Culture
Athenians were Polytheists, meaning that they believed in many gods/goddesses, and the chief of these was the goddess Athens was named after, Athena. Athens started off as an oligarchy, like Sparta, but unlike Sparta, evolved into a Democratic City-State. After Becoming Democratic, Athens enforced it's government and prospered.