Ancient Greece can best be defined as a civilization based on advancement, inequality, and nationalism because of their ability to progress their society, their unjust treatment of women and their capability to unite as one nation.
For its time, Ancient Greece was rather advanced. Their technology, as well as ideas like democracy, were advanced. The concept of democracy was scarcely practiced. The funeral Oration on Pericles reads "Our constitution is called a democracy because the power is in the hands not of a minority, but of the whole people." Rather than a king or select group of people ruling over others, the ancient Athenians followed a direct democracy. This means that each citizen voted for each and every law. When there were too many people voting, a council of 500 was picked by lottery, so the chances of winning were even. Citizens of Athens had individual power over their property and money. This shows advancement from the common idea of a monarchy to a democracy which led to a more productive Athens.
Inequality was present in all regions of Ancient Greece. Women had distinct separations from men. They had no control over their marriage or even a choice of who to marry. They were also restricted from public events. Women were thought of as imperfect beings and lacked the capability to reason as well as men. Aristotle, On a Good (Athenian) Wife says "But in all matters, let it be her aim to obey her husband; giving no heed to public affairs nor having any part in arranging the marriages of her children." This reinforces the idea that the purpose of women in Ancient Greece was to serve domestically at home because there is no functioning role for them in the Greek society.
Nationalism is a huge factor in Greek culture. City-states in Ancient Greece showed nationalism by joining together as one force. The Persian War is a prime example. When King Darius and his Persian army conquered the Ionian Greeks in Asia minor, Athens sent a fleet to rescue them. The Persians came to mainland Greece soon after. The runner Pheidippides was sent from Athens to Sparta to ask fro help. At the Battle of Thermopylae, 20 city-states had combined forces against Darius's son, Xerxes. After the war, more than 100 city-states formed a military alliance. Each gave money, men and ships to defend the others. The Ancient Greeks showed nationalism by working together against a larger threat.
Ancient Greeks had uncommon beliefs and ideas, but that is what made their civilization successful. Advancement and inequality progressed their society while nationalism kept them as one culture.