Lycurgus

Lycurgus, a semi-legendary figure, is credited with establishing a set of laws that transformed Sparta into a military-focused state. It is believed that Lycurgus sought advice from the Oracle of Delphi, a significant Greek authority, before implementing his reforms. 

According to Lycurgus' laws, every Spartan boy was required to leave his family's home at the age of seven to receive military education provided by the state. This military training continued uninterrupted for the next 23 years of the boy's life. The Spartan ethos instilled by this way of life proved its worth when the Greeks had to defend their land against Persian invaders in the early 5th century BC. 

In his quest for social equality, Lycurgus also established the 'Gerousia', a council consisting of 28 male Spartan citizens over the age of 60, along with two kings. This council had the authority to propose laws but lacked the power to enforce them. 

Solon, born around 630 BC, was an Athenian lawmaker known for implementing a series of reforms that laid the foundation for democracy in Ancient Greece. Serving as archon (the highest magistrate of Athens) between 594 and 593 BC, Solon abolished debt-slavery, a practice commonly used by wealthy families to oppress the poor. 

The Solonian Constitution also granted the lower classes the right to participate in the Athenian assembly, known as the 'Ekklesia', where common people could hold their leaders accountable. These reforms aimed to reduce the power of the aristocracy and bring greater stability to the government.

Pisistratus

Pisistratus, born around 608 BC, governed Athens from 561 to 527, although he faced multiple expulsions from power during this time. He was regarded as a tyrant, a term in Ancient Greece used to describe those who seized political control through force. However, Pisistratus largely respected Athenian institutions and worked to enhance their efficiency. Under his rule, aristocrats experienced a reduction in privileges, with some being exiled and having their lands seized and redistributed to the poor. These actions have led to Pisistratus being seen as an early example of a populist leader. By appealing to the common people, he ultimately improved their economic circumstances. Additionally, Pisistratus is recognized for his initial efforts to create definitive versions of Homer's epic poems. Given the significant role that Homer's works played in the education of all Ancient Greeks, this achievement may be considered Pisistratus' most important contribution.

Leonidas I 

Leonidas I, born around 540 BC, was a Spartan king known for his significant role in the Second Persian War. He assumed the Spartan throne between 490-489 BC and became the leader of the Greek contingent when King Xerxes of Persia invaded Greece in 480 BC.

During the Battle of Thermopylae, Leonidas and his small army managed to halt the advance of the Persian army, estimated to be at least 80,000 strong, for two days. Eventually, he ordered most of his troops to retreat. Ultimately, Leonidas and the 300 members of his Spartan guard perished while defending against the Persians. The popular film 300 is based on this event.

Timoleon

In 345 BC, a conflict erupted between two tyrants and Carthage, causing destruction in Syracuse. The Syracusan council, desperate for help, reached out to Corinth, the Greek city that had founded Syracuse in 735 BC. Corinth agreed to send aid and appointed Timoleon, a Corinthian general born around 411 BC, to lead the expedition.

Timoleon, who had previously fought against despotism in Corinth, arrived in Syracuse and successfully expelled the tyrants. Despite being outnumbered, Timoleon defeated Carthage's 70,000 strong forces with his 12,000 men in the Battle of Crimisus in 339 BC.

Following his victory, Timoleon restored democracy in Syracuse and other Greek cities in Sicily.

Philip II 

Before Philip II came to power in Macedonia in 359 BC, the Greeks saw Macedonia as a primitive kingdom that posed no threat to them. However, in less than 25 years, Philip conquered Greece and became the leader of a confederation that included all Greek states except Sparta.

With the Greek armies under his command, Philip began planning an expedition to attack the Persian Empire in 337 BC. However, his plans were cut short when he was assassinated by one of his bodyguards the following year.

Nevertheless, the idea of invading Persia did not die with Philip, as his son Alexander, a young warrior, also had ambitions of leading the Greeks across the Aegean Sea.

Pericles 

Pericles, an Athenian statesman, orator, and general, ruled Athens from approximately 461 BC to 429 BC. During his leadership, Athens thrived as the cultural, economic, and political center of Ancient Greece. At the time Pericles came to power, Athens was already the leader of the Delian League, an alliance of over 150 city-states formed to protect against Persian invasions. The league's fleet, primarily composed of Athenian ships, was funded through tribute payments. When peace was negotiated with the Persians in 449 BC, some league members questioned the need for its existence. Pericles proposed that the league restore Greek temples destroyed during the invasion and patrol commercial sea routes, ensuring the league's continuation and allowing Athens' naval empire to expand. With Athens' dominance established, Pericles embarked on an ambitious building program that included the construction of the Acropolis. The Parthenon, which began construction in 447 BC, was adorned by the sculptor Phidias. The Periclean era also saw the flourishing of theater, music, painting, and other art forms, with renowned playwrights such as Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides creating their famous tragedies, and philosopher Socrates engaging in philosophical discussions. However, peace did not last, and tensions with Sparta led to the outbreak of the Second Peloponnesian War in 431 BC, two years after Pericles' death, marking the end of Athens' Golden Age.