500 BCE - 323 BCE. Classical Greece was marked by the development of democracy, philosophy, and the arts, particularly in city-states like Athens and Sparta. Greek mythology flourished during this time, with gods like Zeus, Athena, and Apollo being central to the culture.
Mythological beasts such as the Minotaur, Hydra, and Cerberus played important roles in Greek heroic myths, symbolizing the eternal struggle between good and evil. This period also laid the foundation for Western civilization through philosophy, art, and governance.